Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi has admitted that Parliament made a mistake in passing Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permitted mining activities in forest reserves. In an interview with TV3 on Saturday, October 12, he expressed regret over this decision, acknowledging its role in the considerable environmental damage caused by mining operations nationwide.
“We have failed as Members of Parliament for passing LI.2462,” Andy Appiah-Kubi said. The controversial law, which enabled mining in forest reserves under specific conditions, is set to be revoked when Parliament reconvenes on October 15.
It had provided legal grounds for granting mining licenses in various forest reserves while exempting certain protected areas, such as globally significant biodiversity zones and cultural sites. Forest reserves, including the Draw River, Neung South, Boin Tano, and Oda River Forest Reserves, were among those affected by the regulation. Environmentalists and health professionals have voiced increasing concern over the irreversible damage caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
In a related development, the Attorney General (AG) has instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit LI 2462 to Parliament for revocation. This directive follows mounting pressure from organised labour, which has called on the government to repeal the law in light of the environmental damage linked to illegal mining activities.
The government has reiterated its commitment to addressing the concerns of stakeholders regarding the negative impacts of mining in ecologically sensitive areas. The decision to revoke the Legislative Instrument is seen as a critical component of the government’s broader strategy to combat the environmental destruction associated with galamsey.
Once the EPA submits the Instrument to Parliament, lawmakers will have the authority to repeal the law, effectively banning all mining activities in forest reserves.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
