GIF calls for new law to permit mining in production forests only

The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) has called for the enactment of a new legal framework to regulate mining in forest reserves, following the decision by government to revoke L.I. 2462 and its amendment, L.I. 2501.

The proposed law, according to the Institute, should strictly permit restricted deep-cast mining in designated production forests, while offering absolute protection to forests that safeguard water sources and unique biodiversity.

This major policy recommendation was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Institute’s 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

The AGM, themed: “Foresters at the Forefront of Change: Tackling Mining Challenges and Advancing Forest Restoration,” brought together about 150 members and was chaired by Professor Kyereh Boateng of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, KNUST.

The government’s decision to lay before Parliament a new Legislative Instrument to revoke L.I. 2462, which opened the door for mining in forest reserves, and L.I. 2501, was applauded by participants.

However, GIF stressed that replacing the revoked instruments with a clearer and more stringent law was essential to safeguard the country’s forests, since illegal and poorly regulated mining continued to degrade critical ecosystems.

The Institute recommended that the new law would explicitly ban all forms of surface and alluvial mining in forest reserves, citing extensive destruction such mings have caused the forest and water bodies.

“Instead, only deep-cast mining whose operations can be more tightly controlled should be permitted, and exclusively within the production of forest reserves.”

The proposed law, according to GIF, should categorically exclude all forest areas that serve as watersheds, harbor rare biodiversity, or provide essential ecological services.

Data presented at the AGM highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying, between 2015 and 2024, open forests increased while closed forests shrank significantly, signaling accelerating degradation rather than outright deforestation.

Additionally, 50 protected areas, including 49 forest reserves and the Bui National Park, have been impacted by mining activities.

As of early 2025, armed miners had taken over nine forest reserves; five remained under their control by October.

Reserves hardest hits include Apamprama, Oda River, Offin Shelterbelt, Tano Anwia, and Tano Nimri.

Some foresters, the communique noted, have lost their lives or sustained serious injuries while attempting to stop illegal mining activities.

While commending the government for revoking about 300 small-scale mining licenses and pursuing new legislative reforms, GIF argued that some existing policies have hindered progress.

The Institute pointed to the February directive against burning excavators in forest reserves, saying it has proven counterproductive since seized equipment often finds its way back into illegal operations.

Consequently, GIF is calling for the resumption of on-site destruction of excavators and other machines used for illegal mining in protected forests, insisting that the law already permits this and that it is the most effective deterrent.

The communique also cited greed, political interference, foreign involvement, inadequate enforcement, and corruption as persistent drivers of illegal mining.

GIF condemned the recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem, which resulted in the escape of arrested miners and the release of impounded vehicles.

The Institute praised the security agencies for their swift response and reaffirmed support for efforts to transform the Forestry Commission into a paramilitary body to confront armed mining groups.

The AGM further called for expanded forest restoration initiatives and intensified public education on the impacts of illegal mining, urging the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to make the campaign a national priority.

Source: GNA

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