A Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2462) aimed at removing the President’s authority to issue mining licenses in forest reserves has been laid before Parliament.
The L.I. was laid on Thursday, March 2025.
Environment Minister Murtala Mohammed had made the attempt to lay the L.I. this week but had to withdraw because some MPs raised procedural issues.
If passed, the new legislation would revoke the president’s authority to grant mining licences in forest reserves.
The minority, led by leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, underscored the need for the L.I. to undergo a mandatory pre-laying process before being formally introduced in the House.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, on the other hand, argued that the L.I. is a straightforward, one-clause amendment that had already achieved consensus.
First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor, who presided on Tuesday, ruled that the L.I. must go through a three-day pre-laying process. He further directed the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament to review the instrument and submit a report by Thursday, March 20.
The review has since been completed and the L.I. laid.
It was laid by the Minister for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, on behalf of the Environment Minister.
He disclosed all the concerns raised had been addressed, adding that “the revocation will go a long way to help the image of the house.”
For his part, Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament Patrick Boamah assured the House that the New Patriotic Party MPs are not opposed to the L.I.
“This side of the house is not opposed to the revocation of this instrument,” he said.
The instrument will take effect after 21 sitting days of Parliament.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
