A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has commended the Government of Ghana and Parliament for the revocation of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, describing the move as a major victory for forest conservation and environmental governance.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the CSOs expressed profound gratitude to the Government and Parliament for reversing the regulation, which had allowed mining activities in forest reserves, including Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas.

According to the statement, the revocation follows the successful laying before Parliament of a new Legislative Instrument by the Acting Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, on October 31, 2025.

The CSOs noted that after the constitutionally required 21 sitting days elapsed without intervention, L.I. 2462 was automatically annulled.

The organisations stated that L.I. 2462, since its introduction in 2022, had significantly weakened Ghana’s forest protection regime.

They cited data indicating that while only two per cent of gazetted production forest reserves were open to mining prior to the regulation, about 89 per cent of forest reserves became exposed to mining under L.I. 2462.

Even after a 2025 amendment, the statement said approximately 80 per cent of forests remained at risk.

The CSOs further explained that the regulation contradicted Ghana’s Forest Development Master Plan (2016–2036), which seeks to phase out mining in forest reserves by 2036, and undermined the country’s commitments under international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

In the press statement, the organisations acknowledged the critical role played by the media and citizens in sustaining advocacy against the regulation.

They highlighted the contribution of individuals and institutions, including thousands of Ghanaians who signed petitions calling for the repeal of L.I. 2462.

Describing the repeal as one of the most significant environmental legislative reversals in Ghana’s recent history, the CSOs said the decision offers renewed hope for restoring the integrity of the nation’s fast-depleting forest estate, which provides essential services such as clean water, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and livelihoods.

However, the statement cautioned that the revocation alone is not sufficient to secure Ghana’s forests.

While acknowledging improvements in forest conditions, as indicated by the Forestry Commission, the CSOs noted that serious threats persist and require sustained national effort.

As part of their key recommendations, the organisations urged President H.E. John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his commitment to review Act 703 to explicitly prohibit mining in forest reserves.

They also called for the development and implementation of a National Forest Protection Strategy in collaboration with national and international partners.

The CSOs concluded by calling on all stakeholders to translate the repeal of L.I. 2462 into concrete actions and partnerships to ensure that Ghana’s forest ecosystems not only exist on paper but thrive for the benefit of present and future generations.

The CSOs behind the statement include the Coalition Against Galamsey–Ghana, A Rocha Ghana, Kasa Initiative Ghana, Eco-Conscious Citizens, BRACE, Nature and Development Foundation, Wacam, OXFAM, the Christian Council of Ghana, Taylor Crabbe, ClientEarth, Civic Response, the Ghana Institute of Foresters, the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group, the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers’ Union of TUC (Ghana), the Peasant Farmers Association, and the SDG Civil Society Platform Ghana.