Revoke L.I on mining in forest reserves with immediate effect — GAAS

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) is demanding an immediate halt to illegal mining in forest reserves and water bodies across the country. 

In that regard, the academy called for the immediate revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462) by the Executive and Parliament to protect the country's forest reserves.

A statement issued by GAAS last Wednesday and signed by the President of the academy, Professor Kofi Opoku Nti, stressed the need for action on the matter because “if no action is taken, all forest reserves could be lost by 2030.”

“They should use their powers under the 1992 Constitution to protect the country from environmental threats,” GAAS added.

Again, the academy underscored the need for the Executive to stop issuing permits and licences for mining in forest reserves as a matter of urgency.

“Companies currently holding permits should be relocated to new areas outside forest reserves, with support to restart operations in these new locations,” the statement said, adding, “those engaged in illegal mining or violating their licences must be evicted immediately.”

GAAS also demanded an immediate ban on mining in water bodies and their surroundings, and stringent systems put in place to ensure that no new licences were granted for such activities.

The statement added that law enforcement agencies and regulatory institutions must act decisively to implement the recommendations, with the assurance that the majority of Ghanaians strongly supported actions that would protect the environment.

GAAS said it was deeply concerned about the negative impact of illegal mining on forest reserves and water bodies and was ready to work with all stakeholders to protect the environment. Justification

GAAS said the continuous mining in the restricted areas undermined the critical functions of forest reserves and had dire consequences for humanity and the planet.

Additionally, it observed that as a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ghana was obligated to follow global environmental agreements.

“However, L.I. 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, contradicts Ghana's international commitments to combat climate change, prevent land and water degradation, and conserve biodiversity,” it added.

The academy stressed the importance of preserving forest reserves because their conservation was vital for mitigating climate change, protecting biodiversity, ensuring food security and maintaining sustainable development.

GAAS added that forest reserves were not only for the current generation but also for future generations.

“They hold the potential for scientific research and discoveries essential for addressing global environmental crises like climate change and pollution,” it added.

GAAS pointed out that the enactment of L.I. 2462 was particularly troubling because it had allowed many companies to secure forest entry permits, creating pressure for the issuance of mining licences.

It was regrettable that Parliament did not annul L.I. 2462 when it had the chance because the L.I opened a backdoor for mining activities that threatened forest reserves, it added.

Background

GAAS is the latest group of professionals and civil society organisations to push for a ban on mining in forest reserves to protect forest reserves and water bodies from further destruction.

The Ghana Coalition against Galamsey, a coalition of concerned Ghanaians, civil society organisations (CSOs), media, and professional groups, have given an ultimatum to the President to immediately ban all forms of small-scale mining and declare a state of emergency to help address the escalating spate of galamsey in the country.

The ultimatum expires at the end of this month, but there is currently no clear indication as to whether the President will yield to the demands of the coalition.