Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Environment, Science, and Technology, is set to address the issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, during the upcoming session on October 15, 2024. Terlabi expressed concern over the government’s lack of response to the escalating crisis, stating, “The whole country is in arms against illegal mining and this government is stonily silent. Their consideration is only to win the election, and I think that is not good.”
In his remarks to Citi News, he emphasized the urgency of the situation, promising to hold accountable those responsible for the government’s inaction. “I will make sure that whoever needs to respond will be brought to Parliament to come and respond to the reason why what we are seeing is going on,” he said.
Additionally, Terlabi lamented the delays in passing the Environmental Protection Bill, which he believes would empower the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to better regulate environmental issues related to mining. “I am beginning to understand the reason why some of the ministers, some of the appointees of the president are refusing to allow us to pass the EPA bill,” he noted. “We have had challenges where ministers from various ministries have tried to stifle our effort to bring that bill into being.”
As Parliament prepares to reconvene, the minority is determined to push for immediate government action against illegal mining and ensure environmental protections are prioritized.
Story By:Baffour/Pinkfmonlinegh.com