Environmental activist and Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awulah Serwah, has expressed deep disappointment over the government’s failure to revoke Legislative Instrument 2462, which she believes weakens the fight against illegal mining.
In an interview with ABC News GH on Thursday, she remarked, “It would have been great news to receive a revocation of L.I. 2462. What is in Parliament is the amendment, not revocation—which is very disappointing.”
She stressed that amending the regulation falls short of the urgent environmental reforms the country needs, especially in the wake of widespread environmental destruction linked to illegal mining, or galamsey.
Serwah called on the government to take decisive action, including declaring a state of emergency to address the environmental crisis. “As soon as possible, declare a state of emergency before we reach a point of no return,” she urged.
Her statement comes amid this year’s World Environment Day themed “Beating Plastic Pollution and Restoring Ghana’s Land.”
While some gains have been made in reforestation and community clean-up campaigns, Serwah insists that more assertive legal and political action is needed to stop further environmental degradation and hold violators accountable.