Asante-Akim North MP, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has admitted that Parliament made a mistake in passing Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which permitted mining in forest reserves.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, October 12, he expressed remorse over the decision, acknowledging its role in the widespread environmental damage caused by mining activities throughout the country.
“We have failed as Members of Parliament for passing LI.2462,” Andy Appiah-Kubi said.
The controversial legislation that allowed mining in forest reserves under certain conditions is expected to be repealed when Parliament resumes on October 15.
This law had permitted the issuance of mining licences in several forest reserves while safeguarding specific areas like biodiversity hotspots and cultural heritage sites.
Forest reserves such as Draw River, Neung South, Boin Tano, and Oda River were among those affected by this regulation.
Environmentalists and health experts have increasingly raised alarms about the irreversible harm caused by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
In a related move, the Attorney General (AG) has instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to present Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462 for revocation in Parliament.
This decision comes in response to growing pressure from organised labour, which has urged the government to abolish the law due to the environmental damage linked to galamsey operations.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the concerns of stakeholders about the negative effects of mining in sensitive ecological areas.
The revocation of this Legislative Instrument is considered a pivotal step in the government’s broader strategy to tackle the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
Once the EPA submits the Instrument to Parliament, lawmakers will have the authority to repeal it, thereby prohibiting all mining activities in forest reserves.