Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has emphasized the need to involve politically exposed persons in discussions aimed at tackling illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

His remarks follow deliberations on Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which seeks to repeal the President’s power to grant permits and licenses for mining in forest reserves.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, March 18, the former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources argued that influential politicians cannot be left out of the conversation on illegal mining, which continues to threaten the country’s forest reserves.

He also challenged the notion that politicians are uninvolved in the practice.

“Mr. Speaker, as we speak today, mining is happening in almost all the forest reserves in our country. The Coalition Against Galamsey, led by the very respected Ken Ashigbey, [has raised concerns] about how political kingpins, believing that their party has won power, are taking over the forest reserves of our country.

“Mr. Speaker, we can have this debate here, the majority and others can dispute it, but I have been a Minister of Lands before,” he stated.

Jinapor further warned that failure to confront the reality of illegal mining and its consequences could jeopardize the future of Ghana’s forests.

“The only thing that can prevent the fight against galamsey is the lack of candour. If anybody stands here today and says that political kingpins have not taken over our forest reserves with mining, let’s say it and give ourselves six months, one year, and two years, and we’ll see where galamsey will be,” he cautioned.

His comments add to ongoing debates on the role of political actors in illegal mining and the measures needed to combat its devastating impact on Ghana’s environment.