Parliament must assert independence in addressing illegal mining – Andy Appiah Kubi
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 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.
He pointed out that under the current system, Parliament’s leadership is often chosen by the executive, making it hard for MPs to act as a real check on presidential decisions.
Mr Appiah Kubi, however said if Parliament was truly independent, it could have more influence over such decisions.
“Let parliamentarians elect their own leaders so that Parliament can stand on its own and properly vet what comes from the executive,” he said, adding that this would allow MPs to better represent the interests of their constituents.
He urged a collective approach, stating, “What we face is like war. In a war, we don’t focus on relationships; we focus on finding solutions to save the country.”
The MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who also commented on the L.I. 2462 on the same television programme highlighted the procedural hurdles Parliament faces in overturning such laws.
He explained that once a minister lays an instrument before Parliament, it automatically takes effect after 21 sitting days unless two-thirds of MPs vote to annul it, a majority that is rarely achieved.
“We argued that this instrument shouldn’t pass, but it has,” he said, noting how difficult it is to reverse these decisions, even with opposition from some MPs.
He said the responsibility to annul L.I. 2462 was more with the executive, particularly the relevant ministry, which could act in response to public pressure.