Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has said the responsibility of stakeholder engagement in respect of the controversial Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 lies with Parliament.
He said this in reaction to growing backlash from the stakeholders.
Responding to concerns that the government failed to fulfill its promise of inclusive dialogue before repealing the L.I. which governs mining in forest reserves, Mr. Mohammed said, “It is the responsibility of Parliament to engage the stakeholders in that aspect.”
He explained that although the Ministry submitted the bill to Parliament, the Legislature was tasked with creating the space for civil society groups to be heard.
“Even when this bill was sent to Parliament… they raised concerns. We wanted to do it very quickly, and the concerns were that they needed to engage civil society organizations.”
According to the Minister, when the government first attempted to table the bill, opposition came from both the NDC and NPP members of Parliament.
“One of the reasons why the NPP, our colleagues from NPP and some members from the NDC, decided that we could not have taken it, was to create the opportunity for other stakeholders to be engaged.”
He continued, “When we wanted to lay it that day, the opposition was that we cannot allow you to lay it… The reason for the pre-laying was to engage members of Parliament and civil society organizations. And we did that.”
However, he admitted that despite these steps, many groups still felt excluded.
“Even these civil society organizations and the likes of my brother and co. felt that the needed engagement was not done. And I don’t see why we were blaming government for that which Parliament… could not do.”
The Minister also detailed the level of inter-ministerial collaboration in the review process, revealing that key ministries were involved.
“It involved almost all the ministries that are participating actively in the fight against galamsey—Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment, Interior, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, and Defence.”
In defending his Ministry’s role, Mr. Mohammed said, “I engaged the public. And when they… (Parliament) decided to proceed, I wasn’t even around.”
On the substance of the legal reform, the Minister reiterated that while the law is being amended rather than repealed, the key concern—mining in forest reserves—is being addressed.
“President Mahama promised that we’re going to ensure that mining in forest areas are things of the past. We amended that aspect of it.”
Mr. Mohammed added that while some believe the law should be thrown out entirely, there are beneficial aspects worth preserving.
“Must we just throw away the baby and the water? No. There are aspects of it which are very, very good,” he insisted.
