Mahama’s Decision to Amend, Not Repeal LI 2462, Surprising – Ashigbey
His comments follow discussions on the proposed amendment to LI 2462
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convener of the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey, has expressed disappointment with President John Mahama’s decision to amend rather than fully repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462.
His comments follow discussions on the proposed amendment to LI 2462, which aims to limit the President’s authority to grant permits and licenses for mining in forest reserves.
LI 2462, also known as the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations 2022, currently allows mining in forest reserves if deemed to be in the national interest. Ashigbey described the move to amend the law as insufficient, especially given the president’s prior promise to fully repeal it.
Ashigbey reflected on Mahama’s swift action in repealing the e-levy within 82 days of taking office, a move that demonstrated the president’s ability to deliver on promises. “This is a president who gave a promise to repeal the e-levy law and not in 100 days, but in 82 days, he was able to convert that manifesto promise into the budget statement, convert it into a bill, and sign and gazette it in record time,” Ashigbey remarked.
However, Ashigbey criticized the amendment to LI 2462 as a superficial change, arguing that it only removes the president’s ability to grant mining permits for globally significant biodiversity areas, potentially saving just 10% of Ghana’s forests. He contended that this minor revision leaves other damaging provisions of the law untouched. “If the president went ahead with his promise that he had given us, what he would have been targeting is to save about 60% of the forest,” he stated.
Ashigbey urged Mahama to fulfill his earlier commitment to fully repeal the law, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger measures to protect Ghana’s forests and biodiversity from the harmful effects of mining activities.
