EPA Director warns against repealing mining in forest reserves regulation

Michael Sandow Ali, Director of the EPA’s Mining Department, has cautioned against repealing the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462) without introducing a stronger alternative.

He warned that removing the regulation could lead to uncontrolled mining in forest reserves, emphasizing that the L.I. formalized existing guidelines to regulate mining responsibly.

Critics, including civil society organizations, argue that L.I. 2462 permits extensive mining in sensitive biodiversity areas, unlike earlier guidelines that capped mining to 2% of production reserves. Concerns also focus on provisions granting the President authority over mining permits, raising fears of potential misuse.

Amid increasing opposition, President Akufo-Addo has directed steps to revoke the L.I., a move that could reshape Ghana’s forest conservation and mining policies.