Repeal LI 2462 and stop galamsey – NPP's Ahiagbah tells government

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called for the repeal of Legislative Instrument 2462, arguing that the law has made it easier for unauthorised persons to enter the small-scale mining space, contributing to the country’s growing galamsey problem.

Mr Richard Ahiagbah, who made the call during a press conference on March 26 2025, said the Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2020, have been exploited by politically connected individuals to secure mining rights with little oversight.

“LI 2462 has weakened the mining regulatory system. It has allowed people with the right connections to act with impunity while damaging our environment,” he stated.

Mr Ahiagbah also described the government’s recent amendments to mining laws as “window dressing,” saying they do not address the root causes of illegal mining.

“President Mahama once claimed he would end galamsey. Today, we are seeing the opposite. The laws are weak, enforcement is compromised, and the destruction is worse than ever,” he said.

He warned that Ghana could lose all its remaining forest reserves within a decade if the current situation continues.