The Ghanaian government has announced plans to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462), in a decisive effort to combat the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
This decision was communicated by the Information Ministry and follows a high-level meeting between President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Organised Labour at Jubilee House on October 3, which focused on addressing the damage inflicted on the country’s forest reserves and water bodies.
During the meeting, both parties recognized the significant toll that illegal mining has taken on Ghana’s natural resources, including water bodies and forest reserves, as well as the communities affected by these activities.
A key outcome of the meeting was the government’s commitment to repeal the controversial mining regulations, which had permitted mining in forest reserves under specific conditions. The regulation will be revoked once Parliament reconvenes on October 15.
Critics have raised concerns about how the regulation facilitated the granting of mining licenses in forest reserves, including areas of critical ecological significance, such as the Draw River, Neung South, Boin Tano, and Oda River Forest Reserves.
Environmentalists and health professionals have long warned about the irreversible damage caused by galamsey activities, including severe pollution of vital water bodies and the degradation of forest ecosystems. The government’s decision to revoke these regulations reflects its acknowledgment of the urgent need to protect Ghana’s natural resources from further exploitation.
In addition to the repeal, the government is set to strengthen law enforcement agencies to enhance their ability to combat illegal mining operations within protected zones. Individuals caught participating in galamsey activities will face full prosecution under the law.
Attorney-General Godfred Dame and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo have pledged to expedite the adjudication of galamsey-related cases, directing judges to conclude these cases within a month of being brought to court.
