The process to repeal Minerals and Mining Act 2003 will deal with concerns on L.I permitting mining in forests – Murtala

Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has assured that concerns around the Legislative Instrument that permits mining in the forest will be dealt with by the process to repeal the Minerals and Mining Act 2003.

To him, this is a demonstration that the Mahama administration is a listening government.

“We are beginning the process of repealing the Minerals and Mining Act 2003 to bar individuals from mining in forest areas,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, April 5.

He added, “The process to amend the mining law satisfies issues around the LI permitting mining in the forest

“This is a clear demonstration that this government listens to the concerns.”

Prior to his comment, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Ken Ashigbey, had told President John Dramani Mahama to fulfill his promise to remove the Legislative Instrument (L.I) that allows mining in the forest.

Ken Ashigbey said that the particular LI is bad and should go.

He wondered why President Mahama has fulfilled his promise to remove the E-levy but is failing on his promise to remove the L.I. for mining in the forest.

“How come the president who said he is going to revoke L.I, is now saying that we should amnend, that is a blot,” Ken Ashigeby said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday April 5.

“This is a bad law, although its intention was good,” he added.

Dr Ken Ashigbey further revealed that illegal miners belonging to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have partnered to engage in the galamsey activities.

This calls for serious efforts from the government to fight the galamsey activities.

“NDC and  NPP illegal miners have now merged to intensify galamsey,” he said.

“Leading members of the ruling NDC administration in some constituencies have been accused of engaging in illegal mining. Indeed NDC and NPP members have now merged to carry out Galamsey activities in some districts. I expect government to act,” he said.

Dr Ken Ashigbey further pleaded with President John Dramani Mahama to investigate the alleged involvement of Akonta Mining in illegal small-scale mining.

Read Also: Akonta Mining not engaged in any illegal mining – Akufo-Addo

He says the previous comment made by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that Akonta Mining is not involved in galansey was despicable.

“Just to say that the new CDI boss should not be following that despicable statement by the former President, he lied to the state that Akonat Mining is not engaged in illegal mining,” Ken Ashigbey said.

“The CID, A-G, they need to take this case to court. Also, the NDC MP for Aowin has been accused of being involved in galamseny, the NDC secretary for Axim has also been accused, the President should order investigations into these two cases.”

Meaning, as part of the fight against galamsey, the Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately embark on mass transfer all Regional, Divisional, and District Police Commanders working in mining areas in the country.

He said this decision is aimed at replacing officers who have served in these areas for an extended period without effectively addressing illegal mining activities.

Alhaji Muntaka stressed that this order is part of measures to end galamsey in the country.

The affected commanders will be reassigned to areas without mining activities, while their replacements will be given a three-month probationary period to prove their effectiveness in combating illegal mining.

During an engagement with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asomwase MP reiterated his determination to enforcing this directive despite mounting pressure on the IGP to reconsider.

“I have ordered the IGP to transfer all police commanders in all mining areas and send in new ones. So, if you are a Regional, Divisional, and District Police Commander serving in mining areas, you will be changed with immediate effect.

“The new ones we are taking there will be transferred after three months if they don’t perform. We will keep making changes till we see results,” he stated.

The directive underscores the government’s resolve to strengthen law enforcement in the fight against illegal mining, which continues to pose a significant threat to Ghana’s environment and water resources.

He assured the people of Ghana of the security agencies’ and the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

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