NationalPolitics

“My government will repeal LI 2642 if the NPP does not.” – Maham

John Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced that a future NDC government will repeal LI 2642, which permits mining in forest reserves, if the Akufo-Addo-led government does not address the issue.

During a meeting with members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs on Monday, October 14, he stated that the amended LI 2642 has worsened the mining crisis in all forest reserves.

While the government has pledged to repeal the LI, Mr. Mahama expressed hope that this action would occur before the NDC comes to power.

“Until they amended the LI, you couldn’t go and mine in forest reserves. Once this government came and amended the LI that is what has resulted in the free-for-all in all forest reserves. And you should see the desecration of these reserves. So I believe that we must the LI.

“With the pressure from Organised Labour, government has agreed to repeal that LI and replace it and so I hope that it will be done before we come into office, if it is done, that is it, if it is not done, we come, we will repeal that LI so that we can stop mining in forest reserves,” he said.

Mr. Mahama also advocated for a cessation of mining activities in forest reserves and water bodies, highlighting the significant pollution caused by these practices.

He stressed the importance of adopting safer alternatives to harmful chemicals like mercury, suggesting the use of borax as a safer substitute. Furthermore, he pointed out that modern technologies, such as centrifugal machines, could be introduced to small-scale miners to facilitate gold extraction without the use of harmful chemicals.

“Small-scale mining is not illegal. It is recognized by law, but we must regulate it properly and adopt safer practices,” he stated.

Mr. Mahama stated that none of his appointees will be permitted to engage in mining, emphasizing that they must choose between pursuing mining activities or serving as political appointees.

He further indicated that the government cannot effectively address the issue because some of their appointees are implicated in it.

Additionally, Mr. Mahama proposed auditing mining concessions to ensure accountability among owners. He warned that if concession owners allow illegal mining (galamsey) on their sites, their concessions will be confiscated.

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