The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has explained why the government reviewed the LI 2462 before laying it before Parliament.
Speaking about the government efforts made to curb illegal mining during a discussion on Joy News' 'Newsfile' on March 22, 2025, the MP for Ellembelle explained that a complete ban on all forms of mining in forest bodies as spelt out by the Legislative Instrument (LI) would interfere with the work of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) (Revocation) Instrument, 2024, will revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462), and make any form of mining in forest reserves illegal.
Responding to claims that the review of the LI smacks of mischief, Armah-Kofi Buah explained that a total ban would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from gaining access to monitor other activities in the forest. "The amended LI has been laid in Parliament and will duly take effect after 21 days.
