Repeal LI 2462 to Save Ghana’s Forests – Ashigbey Urges Government

The limited amendment to LI 2462, which removes the president’s authority to designate globally significant biodiversity areas for mining, was described by Ashigbey as inadequate and misleading. According to him, this change only protects about 10% of the country’s forests, leaving the vast majority vulnerable.

“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 stressed.

Dr. Ashigbey argued that Ghana’s rich biodiversity and natural environment are under significant threat due to harmful mining practices, which are often facilitated by weak or damaging regulations like LI 2462. He warned that without bold and decisive action, future generations would suffer the consequences of today’s environmental neglect.

He urged the government to honour its full commitment to repealing the law, rather than opting for what he called “a cosmetic amendment,” and to take real steps to preserve Ghana’s forests, biodiversity, and natural heritage.