The Minority in Parliament has accused government of constitutional breaches in the extension of the mining lease agreement with Goldfields Damang.
In a press conference addressed by the Minority Chief Whip on Friday, Frank Annor-Dompreh, the group said the government was in breached of Article 268 of the constitution which demands that all mineral agreements be ratified by Parliament.
Mr. Annoh-Dompreh demanded the agreement be brought to Parliament immediately for scrutiny, especially in ensuring responsible mining.
“I have done some painstaking investigation. The government has extended the mining lease agreement. As we speak, the company is mining aggressively. Meanwhile, the agreement that has to come to Parliament for approval or ratification before the extension of the contract has not been done by this government,” he said to reporters
It was the Minority’s position that Parliament was being “taken for granted” as government sought to sidestep the legislature’s approval of such agreements.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP further questioned the government’s commitment to reclamation of lands and water bodies destroyed by illegal mining.
It should be noted that government has extended the mining lease by a year following its expiration.
The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu described it a win-win situation for Ghana’s economy and mining communities.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Mitchell Asare Amoamah
