Andy Appiah-Kubi, the Honourbale Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North has expressed disappointment in the passage of the Legislative Instrument 2462 (LI 2462).
According to him, the legislative Instrument which allows for prospecting in forest reserves, has caused more havoc to the environment than can be imagined.
During a panel discussion on TV3 on Saturday, October 12, the Asante Akim North lawmaker who has been vocal about his concerns regarding environmental degradation maintained that Parliament has failed Ghanaians for the passage of the LI 2462.
“We have failed as Members of Parliament for passing LI.2462,” Andy Appiah-Kubi said.
Appiah-Kubi’s concerns is rooted in Ghana’s recent struggle with the menace of illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, which is having a devastating impact to the environment which includes the forest reserves as well as water bodies.
Over the years, Ghana has struggled to balance economic development with environmental protection in the area of mining, especially small scale gold mining.
Ghana’s forest reserves, including the Draw River, Neung South, Boin Tano, and Oda River Forest Reserves, were among those affected by the regulation. Environmentalists and health professionals including the Ghana medical Association (GMA) and Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) have called on the government to ban all forms of mining as its impacting is posing an existential threat on the health of persons whose livelihoods depend on the polluted water bodies.
Source: Richard Nana Appiah Kubi/Ahotoronline.com
