Parliamentary proceedings took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as lawmakers clashed over the laying of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which seeks to revoke the President’s power to grant permission for mining in forest reserves. The legislative process was stalled due to disagreements over parliamentary procedure, highlighting deep divisions between the Majority and Minority caucuses.
The Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala, was scheduled to present the L.I., but Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin objected, arguing that it must first undergo a pre-laying process before formal consideration. The insistence on procedural compliance delayed what many in the Majority see as a crucial step in tackling illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the urgency of the instrument, emphasizing that the regulation was a key policy commitment of the government. “This was a major promise of President John Dramani Mahama and the government, aimed at addressing the environmental crisis caused by galamsey,” Ayariga stated, pressing for immediate action to prevent further destruction of forest reserves.
Education Minister and MP Haruna Iddrisu echoed Ayariga’s concerns, describing illegal mining as a national emergency requiring swift intervention. However, former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor and members of the Minority stressed the need for further consultations before proceeding, warning that bypassing established parliamentary processes could set a dangerous precedent.
Following intense deliberations, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor ruled that the L.I. must undergo a three-day pre-laying process. Additionally, the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament was tasked with reviewing the instrument and reporting back by Thursday, March 20.
The ruling effectively delays the laying of L.I. 2462 but sets a firm deadline for the committee’s findings. The Deputy Speaker further cautioned that should the committee fail to meet its deadline, the instrument would be laid without further hindrance.
The temporary setback reflects broader tensions in Parliament regarding environmental policy and governance. While the Majority views the regulation as a decisive step in combating illegal mining, the Minority’s insistence on procedure underscores the ongoing power struggle over legislative processes. The coming days will determine whether Parliament can strike a balance between expedience and due diligence in addressing one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Source: GhanaNewsOnline
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