In a significant move to combat illegal small-scale mining, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462) when Parliament reconvenes this month.
This development follows a meeting between the President and Organised Labour on October 3, 2024, at the Jubilee House.
The meeting aimed to address the long-standing issue of illegal mining, which has plagued the country.
Organised Labour and other stakeholders have been vocal about the need for decisive action against illegal mining.
The President’s commitment to revoke the regulations marks a significant shift in the government’s approach.
In a statement, the Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar said after the meeting, the key agreements from the meeting include:
– Collaboration between government and Organised Labour to fight illegal mining
– Enhanced enforcement measures to prohibit mining in water bodies and forest reserves
– Designation of water bodies and forest reserves as “Red Zones” for mining
– Swift adjudication of illegal mining cases through cooperation between the Attorney-General and Chief Justice
– Support for a pact committing presidential candidates to fight illegal mining.
Despite this commitment, organised labour appears to be going ahead with the planned strike.
The government has expressed surprise at this decision but remains open to constructive dialogue.
President Akufo-Addo’s administration has faced mounting pressure to address illegal mining, which has devastating environmental and social consequences.
The revocation of mining licenses is seen as a crucial step in the fight against this menace.
BY Daniel Bampoe
