The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Mr. Abraham Koomson, has applauded the government’s decision to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, describing it as a bold and commendable step in the ongoing national fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The government recently laid before Parliament the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Revocation Instrument, 2025, as part of renewed efforts to safeguard Ghana’s forest reserves.

The instrument seeks to revoke both L.I. 2501, which limited the President’s authority to regulate mining in forest areas, and L.I. 2462, which previously permitted mining operations within protected reserves.

Addressing journalists after tabling the revocation, Acting Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, stated that the move forms part of a broader government strategy to restore degraded lands and preserve the country’s natural ecosystems.

Reacting to the development on Ahotor FM’s “Yepe Ahunu” show, Mr. Koomson hailed the decision as a demonstration of true political will to protect Ghana’s environment.

“This is the best decision in the fight against galamsey.

I still don’t understand why former President Nana Akufo-Addo allowed a law that permitted mining in forest reserves.

It clearly showed the mindset of the NPP government at the time,” he said.

Mr. Koomson further criticised what he described as the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s flawed policy direction on mining and environmental governance, accusing the previous administration of pursuing an agenda that endangered Ghana’s natural resources.

He expressed optimism that the current administration under President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will continue to implement progressive environmental policies that protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.

“If the NDC continues to do the right things, Ghanaians will always have confidence in their leadership,” he added.

The revocation of the controversial legislative instruments has been widely welcomed by environmental advocates and civil society groups, who view it as a crucial step toward restoring Ghana’s ecological balance and ending the destructive cycle of illegal mining.