Speaker of the Parliament Alban S.K. Bagbin warned all MPs on Wednesday that any MP found to be involved in galamsey or illegal small-scale mining will face harsh consequences.
“Parliament will not tolerate any member of Parliament, regardless of your position, who is found to be complicit in disruptive mining activities.
“Any member of Parliament caught engaging in illegal mining or facilitating existential threats to our lives will face the full rigours of the law.
“We can’t be preaching accountability and integrity and turning a blind eye to misconducting ourselves,” the Speaker reiterated.
Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin spoke at the closing ceremony of a one-day symposium for Parliamentarians in Accra that was organized by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources on Wednesday.
The goal of the conference was to reorient and raise awareness among lawmakers about the importance of advocating for sustainable mining practices and to enlist their cooperation in combating the illegal mining threat as a group.
MPs, heads of Ministry agencies such as the Ghana Geological Authority, Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, and Environmental Protection Agency, as well as representatives from civil society organizations, came together for the event, which had as its theme “Restoring a Culture of Proper Small-Scale Mining in Ghana.”
In order to be change agents in their communities, Speaker Bagbin asked members of parliament to support sustainable mining methods.
“Carry with you a renewed sense of purpose and determination to champion responsible mining in your constituencies.”
“Lead be an example by educating and sensitising your constituents, and together we will address the issue of illegal mining collectively,” he stated.
Speaker Bagbin promised that Parliament would help Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, fulfill his mandate in combating the galamsey threat.
Additionally, Speaker Bagbin praised the MPs for their thoughtful and engaged involvement in the conference.
To stop the evil of illicit mining, the lawmakers were expected to take concrete steps to bring about change in their communities.
They would also have the necessary information, abilities, and resources to spearhead the fight against the threat in their individual communities.
“We in Parliament stand with you in this fight. We will provide the necessary legislative backing and oversight to ensure your efforts yielded the desired results,” the Speaker assured the sector minister.
The majority leader in parliament, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, praised the sector minister for making quick progress since taking office and for taking decisive action to stop the galamsey threat.
Additionally, he promised that Parliament will help him fulfill his mandate in his new position as the sector minister.
In his speech, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah stated that the government would assist Members of Parliament in spearheading efforts in their districts to organize their constituents into Community Mining Co-ops so that legitimate mining could be carried out.
In order to conduct lawful small-scale mining, the Minister stated that the Community Mining Cooperatives will receive mining licenses and assistance in obtaining mining concessions.
The minister emphasized that in order to safeguard and conserve the natural resources, all parties involved must assume shared responsibility.
Source: newsthemegh.com