Parliament failed Ghana by passing L.I. that allowed mining in forest reserves – Appiah Kubi

Asante-Akim North Member of Parliament, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has admitted that Parliament made a grave mistake by passing Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permitted mining activities in forest reserves.

Speaking during an interview on The Key Points on TV3, the lawmaker expressed regret over the decision, acknowledging that it has contributed to the ongoing environmental degradation caused by mining operations across the country.

“We have failed as Members of Parliament for passing LI.2462,” Andy Appiah-Kubi said.

This law, which provided legal grounds for mining in forest reserves under certain conditions, will be revoked once Parliament resumes its next session on October 15. The regulation has allowed mining licenses to be granted in forest reserves, with exceptions for certain protected areas such as globally significant biodiversity zones and cultural sites.

Forest reserves like the Draw River, Neung South, Boin Tano, and Oda River Forest Reserves were granted mining licenses under the regulation. Presently, environmentalists and health professionals continue to raise alarms about the irreversible damage being caused by galamsey activities.

The Attorney General (AG) has, meanwhile, directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, to Parliament for revocation.

This directive follows demands from organised labour, which urged the government to repeal the law as part of efforts to mitigate the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

In response, the government affirmed its commitment to addressing concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the detrimental impact of mining activities in ecologically sensitive areas like forest reserves.

The move to revoke the Legislative Instrument represents a key step in the government’s broader initiative to combat the environmental degradation associated with galamsey.

The revocation of the L.I. is viewed as a response to both the concerns raised by labour groups and the broader public outcry against galamsey activities.

Once the EPA submits the Instrument to Parliament, the legislative body will have the final say in repealing the law, effectively banning all mining activities in forest reserves and aligning with the government’s broader goals for environmental conservation.