Gov’t moves to revoke mining regulations as part of renewed anti-galamsey fight

The Acting Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has formally requested the immediate revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and its amendment, L.I. 2501, as part of intensified efforts by government to clamp down on illegal mining.

In a letter to the Attorney General’s Department, the Minister emphasized that the move forms a crucial pillar of government’s renewed strategy to combat illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—which continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s environment, particularly water bodies and forest reserves.

According to a statement released by the Lands Ministry’s Director of Communications, Ama Mawusi Mawuenyefia, the Minister assured that the revocation will not result in a regulatory gap.

She stressed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) already possesses a comprehensive legal and operational framework capable of effectively regulating mining activities nationwide.

The Attorney General’s office has since given its “no objection” to the Minister’s request, clearing the path for the repeal process to begin.

Government sources say the revocation aims to consolidate and streamline environmental oversight, fostering stronger coordination among key institutions involved in regulating the mining sector.

The move is also expected to improve enforcement, transparency, and compliance within the industry.

The initiative aligns with other on-the-ground interventions such as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS)—programmes designed to offer alternative livelihoods while enhancing surveillance and enforcement.

“This is part of a holistic strategy to reclaim Ghana’s degraded landscapes and restore our natural resources,” the Ministry stated. “We are determined to make our waters blue and our forests green again.”

The revocation of L.I. 2462 and L.I. 2501 marks a significant policy shift in the ongoing war against illegal mining and demonstrates government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s ecological future.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith