The Deputy
National Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has issued a strong warning
regarding the government’s proposed amendment to Legislative Instrument (L.I.)
2462. He cautioned that the changes could lead to widespread destruction of
Ghana’s forest reserves and cause severe environmental consequences.
Speaking on Joy
FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, March 31, Bosu expressed grave concerns
about the risks associated with the amendment. He emphasized the urgent need
for full protection of all forest reserves rather than selective conservation
efforts.
According to
Bosu, L.I. 2462, which was passed in 2022, did not undergo proper consultation
with key stakeholders, including environmental organizations, industry experts,
and the general public. He explained that the law permitted mining in both
protected and production forest reserves, eliminating previous restrictions
that had limited mining activities to just 2% of production forest areas.
“This new law
took away all protections that forest reserves had. It also removed any
limitations on mining, prioritizing mining permits over environmental and water
resource permits,” Bosu said.
He further
explained that if a mining concession is granted by the minister, it becomes
nearly impossible for regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) or the Forestry Commission to reject it. This, he said, has given
mining interests an unfair advantage over environmental protection efforts.
Bosu revealed
that A Rocha Ghana and other environmental groups had been engaging both past
and present governments to repeal L.I. 2462. Before the 2024 elections, the
government had promised to revoke the law, acknowledging its negative
environmental impact and the lack of transparency in its passage.
However, recent
developments indicate that instead of repealing L.I. 2462 entirely, the
government now plans to amend it, limiting the protection of forest reserves to
just 10%. Bosu warned that such an amendment would still leave approximately
250 forest reserves vulnerable to mining activities.
“We need to
protect not only the 10% but all forest reserves,” he urged, adding that
failure to do so would amount to an injustice to future generations. He
highlighted the critical role forests play in maintaining ecological balance,
supporting biodiversity, and protecting water bodies.The
environmentalist also criticized past administrations for their lack of
accountability in granting mining concessions. He noted that some previous
governments had allocated mining rights without proper environmental oversight,
which led to long-term damage to Ghana’s natural resources.
“We have seen how
the previous administration abused this power. We cannot allow that to continue
into the future,” he stated.
The controversy
surrounding L.I. 2462 has sparked debates among political and environmental
circles. Some lawmakers have expressed their willingness to support efforts to
repeal or amend the law, while others believe it is necessary for economic
growth. There have been calls from environmentalists, activists, and concerned
citizens urging the government to prioritize environmental sustainability over
short-term economic gains.
The discussion
around forest protection and mining continues to intensify as stakeholders
await further government action on L.I. 2462. Environmental groups remain
committed to advocating for stronger conservation policies, stressing that
preserving Ghana’s forests is essential for future generations.
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