Mining licenses in forest reserve must be halted to allow EPA hold the fort – Lands Minister explains revocation

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has justified the government's decision to revoke all mining licenses granted after the 2024 elections, emphasizing the need to protect Ghana’s forest reserves.

Speaking on JoyNews on Saturday, March 22, the minister explained that the move aims to reinforce the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority in regulating and monitoring mining activities.

According to him, within 21 days, a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 will be passed to remove the President’s discretionary power to approve mining in forest reserves.

"The initial plan was to revoke the entire L.I., but we refined it to ensure the EPA retains its authority to monitor activities and enforce environmental compliance," he stated.

By halting new mining licenses, the government seeks to curb illegal activities and strengthen environmental regulations.

Armah-Kofi Buah also hinted that existing mining leases may not be renewed once they expire, further signaling Ghana’s commitment to sustainable resource management.