Fight Against Galamsey: Media Coalition Commends L.I. Revocation

The Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining has commended the Minister of Environment for starting the process to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462. This law, in fact, permits mining in forest reserves. On August 29, 2025, Acting Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah wrote to the Attorney General’s Office. He, therefore, requested the formal and immediate revocation of L.I. 2462 and its amended version, L.I. 2501. This decisive legislative action is, consequently, a cornerstone of the government’s enhanced strategy to combat illegal mining. The coalition views this as a crucial step in the fight against galamsey. This action strengthens Ghana’s legal framework and addresses the devastation of water bodies and forest reserves.

In fact, the Coalition’s Convenor, Ken Ashigbey, urged the Attorney General to act swiftly. He wants the repeal process completed quickly. He stated that the new action shows promise. Furthermore, he added that the “obnoxious law” opened protected reserves to mining. Therefore, he hopes the Attorney General will move quickly to make the revocation a reality. This is, moreover, a very positive development for the country’s environment.

However, Ashigbey also expressed a different concern. For instance, he criticized the Inspector-General of Police’s recent decision to withdraw a special task force. The task force had enforced environmental regulations in mining communities. Rather than withdrawing, he argued, the police should collaborate closely with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). Consequently, many Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have failed to effectively combat the menace. “MMDCEs have proven they cannot be trusted,” he stressed. Their incompetence, he said, is evident even without the IGP’s task force. He insisted, moreover, that this should not be a reason to withdraw the police team. Instead, he recommended that authorities resource NAIMOS with the necessary logistics. This will, therefore, allow the organization to carry out its mandate. Ultimately, the fight against galamsey requires a unified and well-equipped front.

This video discusses the coalition’s fight against illegal mining and their request for the government to stop L.I. 2462 from maturing into law.

Source: Citi Newsroom. Date: September 1, 2025.