Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST) Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed has blamed the previous Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, of the current invasion of our forest reserves by illegal miners.
The minister says if there was anyone to blame for the destruction of our forest reserves, the previous government, particularly the former minister, must accept blame.
He believes the minister was the one who issued licences to people, and they are currently destroying our reserves with impunity.
This debate came up on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, when the minister tried to lay a legislative instrument which seeks to strip the president of the powers to issue licences to companies and individuals to mine in our reserves.
Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala was prepared to present the L.I., but disagreements between the Majority and Minority caucuses stalled the process.
The minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, suggested that the L.I. undergo a pre-laying process before being formally introduced.
He was supported by the former Minister who noted that “Mr Speaker I rise to support the position of the minority leader. Mr Speaker on the need for some pre-laying procedure… As we speak today, mining is happening in almost all the forest reserves of this country… The pre-laying is necessary.
Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, in response, admitted that illegal mining activities were still ongoing in our forest reserves, but the blame should be directed at the former minister.
“My worry is the comment made by my brother, the former minister for lands. When he indicated that mining is actually going on in the forest areas, it’s true but he issued those permits. He (Jinapor) issued those permits and what we are seeking to do, is to ensure that people do not”, mine in our forest reserves.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
