The Media Relations Officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, has hinted at a possible repeal of LI 2462 as part of the government’s renewed efforts to combat illegal mining.
According to him, there has been a ‘crunch Cabinet meeting’ on the controversial legislative instrument, which many critics say should be completely abolished.
Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, August 16, he said, “I could say authoritatively now that there’s a renewed conversation on L1 2462, and in the not too distant future, there would be an appropriate communication in that particular respect where the repeal is concerned.
“That conversation has been had, indeed, there was a crunch Cabinet meeting that exhausted that possibility, and so the outcome will be communicated very soon”.
The comments by Paa Kwesi Schandorf come in the wake of the mounting pressure on the government to take stronger steps in the fight against galamsey, following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed eight lives near Obuasi on August 6.
The casualties, including two cabinet ministers, have since been given state burials amidst nationwide grief.
Following the incident, there have been renewed calls for the government to be tougher in dealing with what many experts have described as ‘environmental terrorism’.
Some critics have also slammed the President for failing to take advantage of the opportunity to declare an immediate state of emergency, but in recent media interviews, the spokesperson at the Lands Ministry, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, has been reiterating that the government remains committed to making galamsey ‘a thing of the past’.
Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stressed that the government will now embark on a ruthless fight across the country.
“I can confirm to you that you’re going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country.
President Mahama is going to lead a very ruthless and relentless campaign against galamsey. He has not minced words at all. We had a brief cabinet meeting earlier today, and the President was very clear.
There was no ambiguity that he will be leading a war that we have never seen to deal with this canker; this existential threat once and for all”, he said on Thursday, August 14.
War against galamsey not structured — Security Consultant