Member of Parliament (MP) for Damango Constituency, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on the general public to acknowledge the severe impact of illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey.’
The MP emphasized the necessity of amending Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 to prevent the President from granting mining permission in forest reserves.
Mr. Jinapor, having served as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, stated that he could authoritatively point out politicians’ involvement in mining within forest reserves across the country.
“Mr. Speaker, let us accept the truth and be honest about what is happening today, and that is why the prelaying is necessary for us to be able to have a thorough, in-depth interrogations and discussions as to how this can be formulated and presented in a manner which will truly oust the discretion of the President in granting rights for mining to take place in forest reserves,” he said in Parliament.
He stated that although some members within the Majority Caucus held different views, the fact that miners have taken over the forests cannot be disputed.
“I want to conclude by submitting and doing so forcibly and vehemently that as we speak of March 18, 2025, the forest reserves of our country have been invaded and are being mined.”
