Parliament failed in passing L.I which allows mining in forest reserves – Appiah-Kubi

Asante-Akim North Member of Parliament (MP) Andy Appiah-Kubi has admitted that the House failed in passing Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which allows mining activities in forest reserves.

The MP’s admission comes in the wake of calls for the government to revoke the L. I as the devastation of galamsey heightens.

“We have failed as Members of Parliament for passing LI.2462,” he said on Accra-based TV3.

The regulation affected forest reserves, including the Draw River, Neung South, Boin Tano, and Oda River.

It had provided legal grounds for granting mining licenses in various forest reserves while exempting certain protected areas, such as globally significant biodiversity zones and cultural sites.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General (AG), Godfred Yeboah Dame has instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit L.I 2462 to Parliament for revocation.

In this regard, the House barring any unforeseen circumstances is expected to revoke it when it reconvenes on October 15.

Once the EPA submits the Instrument to Parliament, lawmakers will have the authority to repeal the law, effectively banning all mining activities in forest reserves.