Parliament Must Assert Independence In Addressing Illegal Mining – Andy Appiah Kubi | Parliament

The Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North in the Ashanti Region, Andy Appiah Kubi has called for greater parliamentary independence and responsibility in tackling Ghana’s illegal mining problem.

Speaking to TV3 on Saturday [Oct 12, 2024], he said while the President has a duty to govern effectively, it is also the role of parliamentarians to hold the executive accountable, particularly when it comes to enforcing mining regulations.

“We could all have done better, including the President, and I acknowledge that we haven’t managed the situation as well as we should have,” Mr Appiah Kubi said.

He stressed that it is Parliament’s responsibility to “remind the President to do what is required.”

His comment followed a planned revocation of the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining in certain forest reserves.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has been directed to prepare a memorandum for the revocation ahead of Parliament’s resumption on October 15, 2024.

Mr Appiah Kubi argued that all branches of government share responsibility, not just the executive, and that Parliament must have the freedom to challenge decisions when necessary.

“Parliament and all its members since the 4th Republic have not been truly independent because our parliamentary system involves party whips enforcing positions, which needs to change,” he said.