Fight against galamsey: I will score Mahama 30% – Ken Ashigbey

The Convenor of the Media Coalition against Illegal Mining, Dr Ken Ashigbey, has rated President John Mahama poorly as regards his efforts at fighting the illegal mining (Galamsey) menace.

Dr Ashigbey based his assertion on the quest by the President to amend LI 2462, contrary to his promise to repeal the law, in the 120-day Social Contract with Ghanaians.

“I will score President Mahama 30% on the fight against galamsey because the way we should deal with this issue, we are not dealing with it,” he said on TV3’s the KeyPoints on May 10.

L.I. 2462, the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022, allows for mining activities within forest reserves, provided that specific conditions and safety measures are met. The law outlines procedures for mining operations, including environmental impact assessments and mitigation plans.

While it aims to regulate mining in forest reserves, it has faced controversy due to concerns about environmental damage and the potential for undermining the protection of Ghana’s forests.

Consequently, many stakeholders such as A Rocha Ghana and the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining have held the government to its promise to repeal the regulation.

Dr Ken Ashigbey, who was contributing to discussions on the KeyPoints programme, said LI 2462 is illegal.

“The LI that we have is an illegality by the way it is situated. So, when the President says all they are going to do is to amend it, it is wrong. It is not what he promised us,” Mr Ashigbey stressed.

In response, the President’s Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, assured stakeholders who are calling for the repeal of LI 2462 that government will certainly yield to their request.

He noted though, that their demand will be granted after due process has been adhered to.

“Let me stress it here that the position of this Government is that this LI will go. The question remains how we are going to do it such that all factors are considered and that the Government of Ghana is insulated from any future action that will be detrimental to us,” he cautioned.

He therefore called for patience on their part.

“Mind you, some of the miners are reputable entities who were given mining leases by the previous government to do mining. The question is, what happens if you repeal this law which should guide what they are doing? It then means that nothing will guide what they are doing. You can also not go and remove them forcibly from the forest without going through a certain process,” he pointed out.

In respect of that, on 20th March, the Environment Minister, who has jurisdiction over this LI, went to Parliament and laid the LI and when we return, the LI will mature. So, the President can no longer grant a lease for you to enter the forest,” he explained.

Read also:  Ashanti Region: Illegal miners cut down over 100 trees in Jimmirah Forest Reserve

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