Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong and uncompromising call for the complete repeal of Legislative Instrument (LI 2462), the regulation that currently allows mining activities within Ghana’s forest reserves.
In an interview with Naa Dedei Tettey on Morning Starr, the outspoken legislator made clear that he is not in favour of merely amending the legislation.
“I have made my personal opinion on the decision to amend the LI on mining and forest reserves. I hold the view that LI should be scrapped. It shouldn’t be amended,” he stated.
Sam George emphasized the urgent need to protect Ghana’s natural ecosystems, asserting that under no circumstance should mining be allowed in river bodies or protected forests.
He also warned against the politicization of environmental policies, stating, “There must be absolutely no mining in river bodies or in forest reserves. There should be no room for any discretion taken by any political appointee.”
The Minister did not mince words when addressing the issue of illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.” He insisted that political affiliation should never be a shield for offenders.
“Illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves is a criminal act. I don’t care who is involved in it, whether they are NDC or NPP, deal with them, arrest them, jail them,” he said bluntly.
His firm stance comes amid a growing wave of criticism from environmental advocates, traditional leaders, and civil society organisations, who have expressed disappointment in the Mahama administration’s recent decision to amend LI 2462 instead of scrapping it entirely, as was promised during the 2024 campaign season.
With tensions rising over the future of Ghana’s forest reserves, Sam George’s comments have added momentum to calls for the government to take decisive and uncompromising action in safeguarding the environment.
