Bagbin must recall Parliament immediately - IPG

The Institute of Progressive Governance (IPG) has expressed concern about Speaker Bagbin's adjournment of Parliament sine die following the controversy surrounding his announcement that four MPs must vacate their seats for expressing interest in contesting the 2024 parliamentary elections on different tickets.

In a statement issued to the press on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, IPG indicated that the suspension of Parliament by the Speaker will impact the fight against illegal mining in the country.

It further noted that Organized Labor nearly went on strike but for the quick intervention of the government and the measures it agreed to implement to address illegal mining.

"This indefinite suspension of parliamentary business by the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament has adverse effects on the fight against illegal mining and mining in forests. We can recall that Organized Labor made the decision during an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, where union leaders assessed the situation and agreed to call off the industrial action," the statement noted.

"The decision was made following assurances from the government to tackle illegal mining. Organized Labor noted that the government had taken significant steps, including ramping up the Operational Halt initiative led by the Ghana Armed Forces to combat illegal mining activities in forest reserves. Key among all the measures based on which Organized Labor agreed to suspend the nationwide strike was the revocation of the Mining in Forest Reserves Regulation of 2023 (L.I. 2642)," IPG further indicated.

According to the think tank, President Akufo-Addo gave directives as a result of the agreement he had with Organized Labor, specifically to repeal the law that allows mining in forests. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources was to submit a memorandum for the revocation of the Regulation to Parliament when it reconvened on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

"Parliament reconvened as stated, and all eyes were on the Legislature to take steps to repeal the regulation that allows mining in forest areas, only for the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, to adjourn the House sine die," it said.

"IPG firmly believes that this decision by the Speaker of Parliament has the potential to undermine the government's well-intentioned move to have L.I 2642 revoked, thereby preventing mining in forest areas. It appears that the calls to halt illegal mining were not genuine, considering how the Speaker did not address the matter to reduce, if not eliminate, the damaging effects on our water bodies and forests," it further noted.

"IPG calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians, including organized labour and other worker groups, to urgently reconvene Parliament to reconsider the provision that allows mining in forest areas," the statement concluded.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Thursday, October 16, announced to Parliament that Cynthia Mamle Morrison of Agona West, Kwadwo Boafo of Suhum, Peter Kwakye-Ackah of Amenfi Central, and Andres Asiamah Amoako of Fomena had vacated their seats following their decision to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections on different tickets.

The Majority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, sought clarification from the Supreme Court on the articles that the Speaker used to remove his colleagues from Parliament. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled to stay or suspend the Speaker's announcement pending the final determination of the matter.

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