The Ghana Institute of Foresters say it will resist the introduction and implementation of L.I. 2501 if the government fails to make proper consultations to lay down mining policies that protect forest reserves and conserve biodiversity.
The government has laid before parliament a new legislative instrument, L.I. 2501, to revoke the controversial L.I. 2462, which has been widely criticised for enabling mining activities in forest reserves.
But the foresters say they will fight against any policy that defeats their mandates in safeguarding the country’s forests, as they call on the government to hold proper consultative dialogues for a robust law that protects the environment.
Before its recent revocation, L.I. 2462, passed in 2022, granted the President discretionary authority to approve mining in forest reserves – a provision that drew strong criticism from environmentalists, civil society groups, and sections of the public.
They had warned it opened the door to large-scale environmental degradation.
Government in fulfilling its promise has recently revoked the law, introducing a new legislative instrument, L.I. 2501.
At the 28th annual general meeting of the Ghana Institute of Foresters, President of the Association, Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Atta noted they would resist the new law if it doesn’t seek to protect the forest.
“Have stakeholders been consulted for their inputs? Once they implement and read through and they are not in tandem with our mandate, we will resist fiercely,” he said.
In recent times, there has been growing insurgence in mining communities where illegal miners attack forest guards and other security forces.
The Forestry Commission is demanding their conversion into a paramilitary force to militate against any illegal operation in discharging their duties of protecting the forests.
“We are looking at situation where the forestry commission will transition from a purely civilian commission to a paramilitary commission to equip our men adequately to confront the current challenge. How can we have our men face these armed gangs with cutlass and hoes?” Chief Executive of Forest Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, noted.
Environmental Journalist, Erastus Asare, highlights a strong political will to fight the menace.
“NAIMOS aren’t getting the resources to work. They are also getting backlash from their own party people and influential people within government. Until that is addressed and the president make a firm stance and adequately resource them, we will keep dancing around the issue,” he noted.
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