The Minister in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has revealed that the government will repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves.
Plans were underway to have the L.I. amended but some civil society groups including A Rocha Ghana and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey opoposed it.
The Minister in the latest remarks assured the Ghanaian public that the L.I. will be repealed and not amended.
The amendment was to strip the President of the power to grant permission to qualified companies to mine in our reserves.
Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day event organised by the German Embassy and the UK High Commission in Accra, Kwakye Ofosu asserted that “There is some legislative action that is currently going on. On March 20, the Minister for Environment laid the L.I. 2462 in Parliament. The intent originally was to amend it and take away the power of the president to grant licenses in forest reserves.
“But the new thinking is that it should be revoked entirely. So, I have words from the AG that he will push for this once parliament resumes.”
He also stated that the government remains committed in the fight against illegal mining.
“It is the policy of the government of Ghana that galamsey must be seen as a monumental challenge. So, we treat persons engaged in it the same way we will treat terrorists.
“For that reason, for the past months, we have been in office, we have not relented in addressing it,” he added.
He disclosed further that 71 illegal miners have been arrested and over 150 excavators, vehicles, and firearms seized in the ongoing fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.“As of the last brief that we got, 71 illegal miners have been arrested. Over 150 excavators, bulldozers, vehicles, and other weapons have been seized so far. Work is ongoing to ensure that the L.I 2462 no longer exists,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
