Former Lands Minister Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has called for a pre-laying procedure on the amendment concerning mining in forest reserves.

The Damongo MP stressed that a thorough discussion is necessary to address the deep-rooted issues surrounding galamsey.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he urged lawmakers to acknowledge the reality of political interference in illegal mining and ensure that any amendments effectively remove presidential discretion in granting mining rights in forest reserves.

“I rise to support the position of the Minority Leader on the need for some pre-laying procedure,” Jinapor stated.

“If you look at the provisions of the Constitution, which vest all mineral rights in the President and other statutory interventions, the previous government, in which I had the privilege of being Minister, announced publicly and the Attorney General actually took steps in the course of the eighth Parliament to effect this same amendment.”

Mr Jinapor argued that the pre-laying procedure is crucial because current submissions by the Majority Leader and the Education Minister do not fully contextualise the issue.

He stated that while the President has constitutional authority to permit mining in forest reserves, the reality on the ground is alarming.

“Mr. Speaker, as we speak today, mining is happening in almost all the forest reserves of our country. The Coalition Against Galamsey, led by the respected Ken Ashigbey, has actually come out with a report detailing how political party kingpins, believing that their party has won power, are taking over the forest reserves of our country,” he revealed.

Addressing the reluctance of some to admit the scale of illegal mining operations, Mr Jinapor challenged Parliament to face the truth.

“The only thing that can prevent the fight against galamsey is a lack of candour,” he declared.

“If anybody stands here and says that political party kingpins have not taken over forest reserves and are mining, let’s say it and let’s give ourselves six months, one year, two years, and we will see where galamsey will be.”

Mr Jinapor reiterated that a pre-laying procedure would allow for in-depth scrutiny of the amendment to ensure that it effectively curtails presidential discretion in granting mining rights in forest reserves.

He cautioned, however, that under the current legal framework, the President retains the authority to approve such activities despite any amendments.

“Let us accept the truth and be honest about what is happening today,” he urged.

“That is why I’m saying that the pre-laying is necessary for us to have a thorough, in-depth interrogation and discussion on how this can be formulated and presented in a manner that would truly if that is what we want to achieve, oust the discretion of the President in granting rights for mining in forest reserves.”

Concluding his submission, Mr Jinapor issued a stark warning about the state of Ghana’s forest reserves.

“As we speak, the forest reserves of our country have been invaded,” he stated.

“If we do not take decisive action now, we will soon find ourselves in a situation beyond redemption.”