KEY POINTS
- NDC MPs submit a bill to repeal L.I. 2462.
- Environmental degradation has resulted from mining in forest reserves.
- Government to introduce new regulations on mining.
Section 3(2) of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462) is to be repealed by a Private Members’ Bill filed by three National Democratic Congress (NDC) members of parliament. The clause gives the president the power to grant exploration and mining leases inside Ghana’s forest reserves.
MPs propose bill to protect the environment
On Tuesday, October 22, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Madina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu, and Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini formally filed the bill to the Clerk of Parliament in a memo.
According to MyJoyOnline, the MPs contended that it is their duty as legislators to defend Ghanaians’ right to a sustainable, healthy, and clean environment. They emphasised their responsibility to create legislation that protects the environment, ecosystems, and public health as well as to keep the executive branch accountable.
The enactment of L.I. 2462, which permitted mining in forest reserves, had previously raised concerns from the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF). The MPs pointed out that in addition to detrimental effects on health, the economy, and society, this regulation has caused serious environmental degradation.
The MPs stated, “We propose this bill to repeal Section 3(2), which allows the president to issue mining leases for exploration in forest reserves, given the environmental damage and the broader health, economic, and social devastation that L.I. 2462 has caused.”
Government plans to revoke mining law
In the meantime, the administration declared its intention to amend the laws that allowed mining in these delicate places by introducing a new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to Parliament. This was disclosed in a parliamentary session on October 15 by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Leader of Government Business and an Effutu MP.
The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) created the new rule in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and with technical assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is a component of a larger plan to stop illegal mining or galamsey. Nationwide, this illicit activity has seriously harmed agricultural lands, waterways, and forest reserves.
