Member of Parliament for the Damongo Constituency, Hon. Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor, has contributed to a parliamentary debate on the laying of a Legislative Instrument to amend the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462). Jinapor emphasized the need for pre-laying consultations, highlighting that Parliament lacks the power to amend such Instruments once laid.
He clarified that L.I. 2462 aimed to restrict the Minister’s power to grant licenses for mining in certain forest reserves, including protected areas and cultural sites. Jinapor warned that revoking or amending this law without careful consideration could restore the Minister’s unfettered power to grant mining licenses on any land in Ghana, including forest reserves.
Jinapor’s contribution stressed the importance of engaging in a broad discussion to safeguard Ghana’s forest resources. He advocated for a detailed plan to protect the country’s forests, emphasizing that all stakeholders must work together to achieve this goal.
