Source: newsthemegh.com
The minority in parliament is calling for the detention of Gabby Otchere-Darko and every government official named in the so-called “galamsey report” by Professor Frimpong-Boateng.
The Caucus remarked that the arrest of Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was insufficient for the government to show that it is serious about the fight against galamsey.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIL) report should have identified President Akufo-Addo’s cousin, Director of Operations Lord Commey, and Hon. Joseph Quarm, the Caucus claims.
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Ranking Member of the Parliament’s Lands and Forestry Committee, Hon. Rashid Pelpuo, spoke to the media. The Minority expressed their outrage at the arrest of Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, the former Minister of Environment Science and Technology.
“We find the arrest awkward and unimpressive because Prof. Boateng is viewed as a culprit rather than an informant, rather than cooperating with him to address the root of the issue.”
“It gives the impression that this arrest is intended to disprove claims that the government is directly or indirectly supporting destructive illegal mining operations that are obliterating our rivers, our forest reserves, and our farmlands.”
According to Mr. Rashid Pelpuo, the Minority demanded a formal investigation into the report after learning about the IMCIL study and the alleged involvement of important NPP officials.
In his words, “Except for the brazen arrest of a man who threw everything he had to reveal the hidden truth in the Inter-ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining Illegal,” the side does not currently know how far the government has advanced with the request.
A public investigation into the Committee report and the harm done to the nation’s forest reserves, he asserted, is essential, particularly in light of the galamsey operators’ expanding destruction of lands and rivers.
“It is inconceivable that the state, with all of its resources, including its lands, rivers, money, and citizens, would be left in the hands of an elected government, and it turns out that the government is a major supporter of the depletion and abuse of these resources.”
Our forests are being destroyed daily, our rivers are dying, and our people are drinking water that is contaminated with mercury.
He emphasized, echoing Prof. Frimpong Boateng, “We can’t sit down for the corruption and destruction of our lands to go.”
In addition to requesting a public investigation, the minority presented the government with a list of requests in support of Ghana’s eco-conscious citizens.
The Executive Instrument (E.I) 144 Forests (Cessation of Forest Reserve) Instrument 2022, which, according to him, will clear 361.50 acres of forest from the Achimota Forest Reserve, the city of Accra’s lungs, is one of these calls.
Removing section 3(2) of the Environmental Protection (Mining In Forest Reserves) Regulations 2022 Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allows the President to approve mining in a region with a high concentration of biodiversity provided it is in “the national interest,” and pausing all community mining.
Making sure Akonta Mining recovers the lands it allegedly devastated in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve while holding the company’s directors accountable.
Additionally, taking action in response to the JoyNews documentary “Gold For Destruction,” which demonstrates direct government participation and depicts military personnel shielding illegal miners who were gleefully trashing the environment.