New Law to Ban Mining in Forests and Water Bodies – Vice President
By Sarah Appiah
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced that the government will soon introduce new legislation to prohibit all forms of illegal mining activities in water bodies and forest reserves.
Speaking at an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Belgium, as part of her official visit to the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the Vice President expressed deep concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey – on the nation’s rivers, lakes, and forests.
She also condemned the widespread practice of leaving uncovered mining pits, describing it as a grave environmental and public safety hazard.
The Vice President’s comments reaffirm an earlier statement by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, who disclosed that a new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) will soon be laid before Parliament to repeal the controversial L.I. 2462, which currently permits mining in forest reserves.
“We are working towards banning mining in water bodies. A bill is being prepared to reverse what you saw and to ensure that the people are moved out of these areas and properly relocated. What is even more disturbing is that, after mining, many simply leave the land bare,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, revealed that government is reviewing about 2,167 mining licences issued between 2017 and 2025. He noted that a significant number of these licences were granted to government officials.
He further stated that individuals found culpable of engaging in illegal mining will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Mr. Quayson stressed that the government remains committed to restoring polluted water bodies and degraded lands to their natural state.
