Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Mahama, has stated that a future NDC government will repeal LI 2642, which allows mining in forest reserves. if it is not addressed by the Akufo-Addo-led government.
Speaking during an interaction with members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs on Monday, October 14, he said the LI 2462 which was amended by government has exacerbated the mining situation in all the forest reserves.
With government promising to repeal the LI, Mr Mahama expressed the hope that it would be done before the NDC assumes 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 called for an end to mining in forest reserves and water bodies, citing the severe pollution caused by the practice.
He emphasized the need to adopt safer alternatives to harmful chemicals like mercury, recommending the use of borax as a safer option. Additionally, he noted that modern technologies, such as centrifugal machines, can be introduced to small-scale miners to extract gold without 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.
According to Mr Mahama, none of his appointees will be allowed to mine, emphasizing that they must choose between mining or serving as political appointees.
He further noted that government cannot act on the menace because their appointees are involved.
Mr Mahama further proposed auditing mining concessions to hold owners accountable. He warned that if concession owners permit illegal mining (galamsey) on their sites, their concessions will be confiscated.
