Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin has been entreated to order the presence of Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, in the House to explain the extreme measures implemented by government to combat illegal mining.
Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu in addressing the floor of the House, Friday, May 28, said in his capacity as the principal legal advisor to the government, Mr Dame must be summoned in accordance with Article 88 to explain the stance taken by President Akufo-Addo in defending the burning of excavators.
"We will want to summon the Attorney General in accordance with Article 88 of the constitution as the Principal Legal Advisor to the government on why the President should not be held in check for being in breach of the laws of Ghana. Some material evidence must be provided that burning excavators is sanctioned by the laws of Ghana and I wait to see that law.
"Extra Judicial Power is never vested in the President. So the Attorney General will be brought before this House to uphold the constitution and the laws of Ghana and to hold himself accountable to the laws of Ghana," he said.
President Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, May 26, recommended the court of law to persons who have opined that actions by the Operation Halt team contravened the laws of the land.
“The equipment, which is being used for an illegal or criminal purpose, cannot confer on the owner or any other person any rights whatsoever,” the President added.
But according to the Tamale South MP, there is no law found in the constitution that supports the burning of excavators, hence the incumbent is engaged in an illegality.
Some members of the Minority have explained that the actions taken by the Akufo-Addo-led administration are nothing to write home about since it suggests mob justice as the ideal way to rid the country of “galamsey” operations.
The Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, stated that Article 995 of the constitution does not prescribe the burning of excavators as what should be done to confiscated equipment and machinery used in illegal mining.
For him, accessing documents from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), to penalize culprits found mining in water bodies and forest reserves, would be the best alternative to address this challenge.
But sharing similar a position as the President, Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has stated that seeking redress at the courts is the best alternative for critics against the tactics employed by government in the "galamsey" fight.
Latest Stories
-
Works begin on inner-city roads in Ho
9 mins -
GJA to commemorate World Press Freedom Day in Koforidua
19 mins -
West Ham ban director Tim Steidten from dressing room as search continues for new manager
23 mins -
Ghana Stock Exchange approves listing of Atlantic Lithium Limited
37 mins -
I haven’t been treated well by the NPP but I remain loyal – Former NPP MP
58 mins -
Black Sherif should pray for Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy to remain at loggerheads – Ajagurajah
1 hour -
Blue Ivy Carter joins mum Beyoncé in Lion King prequel
1 hour -
Stonebwoy, other African acts’ music restored after TikTok, Universal Music resolve dispute
2 hours -
Dumsor hasn’t ended – IES debunks Akufo-Addo’s claim as citizens complain of more outages
2 hours -
Bawumia praises church’s invaluable role in Ghana’s development
2 hours -
Bawumia: ‘I am confident God can use me for Ghana’s good’
2 hours -
‘Man stuffing ballot box, not our staff and incident not related to Ejisu by-election’ – EC
2 hours -
Agogo Presby Hospital holds annual performance review meeting
2 hours -
Fifth body found after Baltimore bridge collapse
2 hours -
Use brand management skills as tool for self-employment – Students told
2 hours