Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwaa is advocating for the urgent repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining activities in forest reserves.
The environmentalist argues that the irreversible damage caused by such activities far outweighs any potential benefits.
“We should get the withdrawal of L.I. 2462. Parliament has passed this L.I. which allows mining in forest reserves, so that law should be withdrawn,” she said.
Her call comes in response to reports of a yet-to-be identified miner said to have encroached on the Draw River Forest Reserve, one of Ghana’s key protected forests located at Gwira Banso in the Nzema East District of the Western Region.
The reports indicate that part of the forest has been cleared, and excavators have been moved to the site, signalling the potential start of illegal mining activities that could lead to significant forest degradation.
Madam Serwaa criticised the issuance of permits for mining in areas of significant biodiversity. She questioned the rationale behind such decisions.
“You have Legislative Instrument 2462 allowing mining in forest reserves, including globally significant biodiversity areas like the Draw River Forest Reserve, which has been a protected area since 1964. Who in his right sense would issue an entry permit to go there?”
She also expressed disappointment with political parties, noting their failure to address this issue in their manifestos ahead of the upcoming December general elections.
Madam Serwaa urged all political parties to commit to repealing L.I. 2462, which she views as enabling environmental degradation in Ghana’s forest reserves.