John Darko, Member of Parliament for Suame
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership in Parliament must have a dialogue and come to a consensus on dealing with galamsey and its related issues for a lasting solution.
This is according to John Darko, Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame. He also stated that the influence of political parties on the fight against illegal mining contributes hugely to the government’s inability to halt the menace entirely in the country.
Commenting on the repeal law on allowing mining in forest reserves during an interview on JoyNews, and monitored by GhanaWeb, Darko noted that the government was rushing the process and needs commitment from the two strong parties to help resolve the issue.
“I doubt the repeal itself can solve galamsey issues. The two political parties must come together on conversations of galamsey so that there will be no debate on such topical issues of national interest,” he added.
He stated that the galamsey fight is a national issue and should not be politicised by any party to help save the ongoing destruction of water bodies and forest reserves.
“It is a major national issue. There is need for both parties to sit down and dialogue and agree to what they want to do with regard to dealing with the issue, so that when NDC is doing it, NPP will praise them and vice versa so that both parties will ride on same boat to avoid doubts on the ways to deal with issue,” he added.
Earlier on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, March 17, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, assured Ghanaians that the process to repeal the Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462 has begun.
He noted that the move regarding the controversial instrument allowing mining in forest reserves is expected to be completed within the 120-day timeline promised by President John Mahama.
Dr Mohammed further confirmed that engagements with parliamentary leadership and stakeholders have taken place, paving the way for the repeal process to be finalised soon.
“We have actually started the process. I engaged the Ranking Member on Subsidiary Legislation, Patrick Boamah, and other leadership members. We have agreed to lay it very soon. One thing I can assure the public is that we will meet the 120-day promise made by the president,” the minister stated.
VA/AE
Catch up on the mysterious and historic details of Fort Amsterdam in this final part of our Ghana Month Series on People and Places on GhanaWeb TV below: