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Government will halt issuance of new mining licenses in forest reserves - Armah-Kofi Buah

Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah  FotoJet 3 Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources-designate

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources-designate, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced that the government will halt the issuance of new mining licenses to protect forest reserves.

This decision forms part of broader efforts to safeguard the environment and ensure the sustainable management of Ghana's natural resources.

Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, January 27, 2025, he reaffirmed the government’s dedication to environmental conservation.

“We have said that there will be no new mining activities in forest reserves, and the intention is to make sure that L.I. 246(2) is amended to ensure that the provision allowing for mining in reserves is not in place. If you give me the chance, my first activity will be to ensure that there will be no new mining activities in forest reserves," he explained.

The Member of Parliament of Ellembelle also emphasised the need to decentralise the process of acquiring mining licenses.

He pointed out that empowering local authorities and communities would make the process more transparent and inclusive.

"In fact, when we decentralise, when we get the mining authorities - the EPA and the Minerals Commission - to be in direct link with the authorities at the local level, it means the processes will be handled properly. You know, the requirement now is that before you give a license, you have to give notice and hold a public hearing. Does that happen? No," he said.

He further cited instances where mining companies were issued prospecting licenses that led to conflicts, such as farms being destroyed without proper consultations or compensations.

He stressed that decentralisation would help address such challenges while empowering local communities.

"More importantly, we are doing this to empower people at the community level, telling them they are very important in this process. We are not going to do anything without them. In any event, they will have access to us. So, if anyone wants to mine, they should not do it illegally," he added.

JKB/AE

Watch the vetting below:

Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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