President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his commitment to halting mining activities within Ghana’s forest reserves, revealing plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2003 (Act 703) to permanently prohibit such operations.
In a recent address, Mahama highlighted the progress made during his administration’s first 120 days, detailing a robust strategy aimed at reforming the mining sector. This includes a mix of legal changes, stronger enforcement, and land restoration efforts.
“We’ve implemented a five-point strategy to overhaul the mining sector, focusing on regulatory reforms, enhancing law enforcement, collaborating with stakeholders, and reclaiming degraded lands,” Mahama shared, noting that seven out of nine reserves have been successfully restored, and illegal miners have been removed.
As part of this initiative, Mahama also presented Legislative Instrument L.I. 2462 to Parliament on March 20, 2025, to amend the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, eliminating the president’s discretion to permit mining in these areas.
In a further commitment to preserving the environment, Mahama announced plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act itself, ensuring an outright and permanent ban on mining in forest reserves.
This initiative is a critical part of Mahama’s broader goal to protect Ghana’s natural resources and mitigate the destructive effects of illegal mining, which has led to widespread deforestation and environmental degradation.
