The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) has called on Parliament to immediately revoke LI 2462, the issuance of permits and licenses to miners as well as ban all mining activities.
According to the Academy, the impact of galamsey has gone beyond local ecosystems, and undermine the Sustainable Development Goals; SDG 15, 3 and SDG 12.
“The enactment of L.I. 2462 is particularly troubling because it has allowed many companies to secure forest entry permits, creating pressure for the issuance of mining licenses. GAAS regrets that Parliament did not annul L.I. 2462 when it had the chance, as this has opened a backdoor for mining activities that threaten forest reserves.”
The Academy has expressed worry on Ghana Water Company’s warning about the high cost involved in the treatment of the destroyed water due to increased pollution, signalling potential health risks and unaffordable water tariffs in the near future.
In a press statement signed by the President of the Academy, Prof. Kafi Opoku Nti, the academy recommended some measures to help address the issue of illegal mining in the country.
The measures are;
1.Immediate revocation of L.I. 2462 by the Executive and Parliament to protect the country’s forest reserves. If no action is taken, all forest reserves could be lost by 2030.
- The Executive and Parliament must consult widely with scientific experts and stakeholders when enacting legislation that affects the environment. They should use their powers under the Constitution to protect the country from environmental threats.
- The Executive should stop issuing permits and licenses for mining in forest reserves.
Companies currently holding permits should be relocated to new areas outside forest reserves, with support to restart operations in these new locations. Those engaged in illegal mining or violating their licenses must be evicted immediately. - Mining in water bodies and their surrounding areas must be banned immediately. No new licenses should be granted for such activities, and the state must enforce these bans strictly.
- Law enforcement must act decisively to implement these recommendations, with the assurance that the majority of Ghanaians support strong action to protect the environment.
“GAAS is extremely concerned about the destruction of water bodies through mining, which has resulted in the pollution of water sources essential for drinking, agriculture, and fishing.” the statement read.
Read full statement below