Galamsey War: Repeal of L.I. 2462 Not a Victory Yet – IMANI Africa warns that the repeal of L.I. 2462 is a “false dawn” in Ghana’s battle against illegal mining

Policy think tank IMANI Africa has described the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 — the regulation that granted the President authority to approve mining in forest reserves — as a “false dawn” in Ghana’s long-standing battle against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The organization says while the move has been widely praised as a step forward in protecting the environment, it falls short of the decisive action needed to end the destructive practice.

“To frame the repeal of L.I. 2462 as a victory is to mistake a skirmish for the war itself,” IMANI noted in its latest Critical Analysis of Governance Issues (CAGI) brief.

Symbolic but Shallow Victory

IMANI argues that the repeal, though significant, does not address the deep structural and institutional weaknesses that continue to enable galamsey across the country.

It warns that Ghana risks celebrating prematurely while “the enemy remains entrenched — on the shoulders of our roads, beneath our railway lines, and in the very rivers that sustain us.”

The brief emphasized that galamsey is more than just a matter of environmental degradation, pointing to poisoned rivers, polluted soils, and institutional complicity that have turned the problem into a full-blown governance crisis.

Over 2,000 Licenses Still Active in Forest Reserves

IMANI’s analysis reveals that more than 2,000 mining licenses have already been granted within forest reserves, a reality that undermines the repeal’s intended effect.

It challenges government to revoke these existing concessions and fully clear illegal miners from the forests, describing that as the “true test of political will.”

The think tank also questioned the capacity of anti-galamsey taskforces — including NAIMOS and the Blue Water Guards — to deliver results without adequate funding and insulation from political interference.

“Without such capacity, the repeal risks becoming a hollow gesture,” IMANI cautioned.

No State of Emergency, No Extraordinary Powers

The brief referenced President John Mahama’s decision to rule out a state of emergency as a missed opportunity to give law enforcement the tools to tackle illegal mining more decisively.

“Without such extraordinary powers, can the state truly wage war against what has become the nation’s number one environmental enemy?” the think tank asked, warning that operators have shown themselves capable of violent resistance.

Legislative Loopholes Remain

According to IMANI, the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703) of 2006 still allows mining in forest reserves deemed “sustainable.” This provision, it says, remains a major loophole that legitimizes destructive large-scale operations under the guise of sustainability.

IMANI is calling for a complete amendment of Act 703 to explicitly prohibit mining in forest reserves, regardless of scale.

Who Takes Responsibility Now?

With the President’s powers now curtailed by the repeal, IMANI has raised questions about who holds ultimate responsibility for mining approvals in forest areas.

“If the President no longer holds the authority, where will the buck stop — with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the EPA, or the Forestry Commission?” the group queried.

The think tank urged government to ensure that whatever replaces L.I. 2462 introduces clarity, transparency, and accountability in the licensing process, rather than shifting discretion from one political office to another.

The Real War Still Ahead

IMANI concluded that the repeal should not be mistaken for victory but viewed as a tactical retreat by entrenched interests.

“The real victory will come only when Ghana revokes destructive concessions, strengthens institutions, closes legislative loopholes, and mobilizes both state and civic power to reclaim its rivers, forests, and future,” the brief said.