Occupy Ghana, other want parliament to pass law prohibiting mining in forest reserves

Pressure groups, Occupy Ghana and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey are calling on parliament to pass a law that forbids mining or drilling in all forest reserves.

According to them, doing this would mean revoking the Environmental Protection(Mining in Forest Reserves Regulations(LI 2462) and the power it gives the president.

Last week, news went viral that a company called High Street Ltd had been granted a mining permit in the Kakum National Forest but this was denied by the Minerals Commission in a statement in which it indicated that even though the company applied, the same was rejected.

However, in Joint press statements, the groups expressed concern at the news of the alleged grant of mining rights in the Kakum National Park. They faulted the Minerals Commission for not being specific on the type of mining lease sought by High Street Company.

Additionally, it noted that the Minerals Commission’s statement to the effect that no mining shall be considered or granted in the said forest, gives them little comfort because such operations have taken place in Ghana behind the Commission.

Also, the groups have made a suggestion that any decision on the cessation of forest reserves should be first, on the advice of the Forestry Commission and Lands Commission, and secondly with the approval of Parliament after a public hearing.

As such, they are recommending also the amendment of the Forest Act, 1927 (Cap 157) to take away the power of the President to do this simply by issuing an Executive Instrument.

Once again, Occupy Ghana and the Media Coalition want the express revocation of the ‘ill-fated Forest (Cessation of Forest Reserve) Instrument (EI 144 of 2022).