Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has announced that government is preparing fresh legislation aimed at prohibiting illegal mining operations in water bodies and forest reserves.
Addressing members of the Ghanaian community in Belgium during her official trip to the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the Vice President voiced deep concern about the destructive effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s rivers and forests.
She further criticized the practice of leaving mining pits uncovered, describing it as a grave safety hazard.
Her announcement reinforces an earlier disclosure by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, who indicated that a new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) would soon be presented to Parliament to repeal the contentious L.I. 2462, which currently allows 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,” the Vice President stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, revealed that government is reviewing about 2,167 mining licences issued since 2017.
He noted that a significant number of these licences were granted to public officials and stressed that anyone found guilty of engaging in illegal mining would face prosecution under the law.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to rehabilitating polluted rivers and restoring them to their natural condition.
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