Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced that the government plans to introduce new legislation to ban illegal mining activities in water bodies and forest reserves.
Speaking during an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Belgium as part of her official visit to the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the Vice President expressed concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining on the country’s water resources and forest reserves.
She also condemned the practice of abandoning uncovered mining pits, which poses serious safety risks.
The Vice President’s announcement aligns with an earlier statement by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, who revealed that a new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) would soon be laid before Parliament to repeal the controversial L.I. 2462, which currently permits mining in forest reserves.
“We’re working towards banning mining in water bodies. A bill is being prepared to reverse what you saw and to ensure that the people are moved out of these areas and properly placed. What is even more disturbing also is the fact that when some mine, they just leave the place bare”.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, disclosed that the government is reviewing approximately 2,167 mining licences issued over the past eight years, dating back to 2017.
According to him, most of these licences were granted to government officials. He added that individuals found culpable of engaging in illegal mining will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Deputy Minister stressed that the government is committed to restoring polluted water bodies to their natural state.
