The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has renewed its call for the government to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining activities in forest reserves, citing the severe environmental consequences and public backlash.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, the TUC Chairman, Bernard Owusu, emphasized that nothing short of a full repeal would be acceptable.
“We are still asking government to go to Parliament to revoke that L.I. We’ve heard that government is trying to amend it, but that is not what we demanded for, and we are asking that the L.I. should be revoked,” Owusu stated firmly.
L.I. 2462 has been at the center of national controversy, with environmental groups and civil society organizations warning that the law opens the door to unchecked degradation of protected forest areas. Critics argue that its existence has emboldened illegal mining operations—commonly referred to as galamsey—exacerbating environmental destruction and threatening water bodies.
Despite reports that the government is considering amendments to the legislation, the TUC maintains that only a full revocation can address the issue effectively.
Parliament is currently in recess, but sources indicate that the repeal of L.I. 2462 may be on the table when the House reconvenes—a move that may be seen as a partial victory for campaigners and a crucial turning point in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
