Former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor has pushed back the laying of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which seeks to repeal the President’s power to grant permission for mining in forest reserves.
The Damango MP insists that further consultations were necessary before the L.I. could be laid.
The L.I. 2462, if passed, would strip the President of the authority to issue licenses for mining activities in forest reserves, a move aimed at curbing illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.
His argument found support among some members of the Minority, who stressed the importance of adhering to parliamentary procedures.
“My Speaker, I support the position of the Minority Leader on the need for some relaying proceedings.”
“The point about this provision being a one-clause provision, really, even look at the national constitution, you look at the provision of the constitution which vests all mineral rights in the country,” he said on the floor of Parliament.
Mr. Jinapor further elaborated on the effort by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to the amendment of the L.I.
“When you look at other statutory interventions, Mr. Speaker the previous government announced publicly, and the Attorney General actually took steps in the course of the 8th Parliament to effect this same amendment.
“But Mr. Speaker, the point for this relaying is all because the submission made by the majority, in some respects does not contextualize the issue because the President has the right under the national constitution, under status to exercise the discretion for mining to take place in the forest reserves.”
