The Institute of Progressive Governance (IPG) has voiced serious concerns over Speaker Bagbin’s indefinite adjournment of Parliament.
This follows his controversial announcement that four MPs must vacate their seats due to their intentions to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections on different party tickets.
In a press statement, IPG warned that suspending parliamentary activities could critically undermine ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining across the country.
The statement also pointed out that Organized Labor nearly embarked on a national strike, which was only averted through swift government intervention and its commitment to implementing stronger anti-illegal mining measures.
“This indefinite suspension of parliamentary business by the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament has adverse effects on the fight against illegal mining and mining in forests.
“We can recall that Organized Labor made the decision during an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, where union leaders assessed the situation and agreed to call off the industrial action”.
Institute of Progressive Governance
The statement noted that government assurances to tackle illegal mining were pivotal in persuading Organized Labor to halt its planned strike.
As part of these efforts, the government expanded the “Operational Halt” initiative, led by the Ghana Armed Forces, to combat illegal mining within protected forest reserves.
IPG indicated that central to these commitments was the repeal of the Mining in Forest Reserves Regulation of 2023 (L.I. 2642), which was essential in gaining Organized Labor’s agreement to suspend the strike.
IPG highlighted that President Akufo-Addo personally ordered the regulation’s repeal as part of his agreement with Organized Labor.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources was instructed to present a memorandum to Parliament, formally seeking the revocation of the regulation when it reconvened on October 15, 2024.
“Parliament reconvened as stated, and all eyes were on the Legislature to take steps to repeal the regulation that allows mining in forest areas, only for the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, to adjourn the House sine die”.
Institute of Progressive Governance
IPG Warns Speaker’s Adjournment Threatens Mining Regulation Revocation
Furthermore, IPG expressed its firm belief that the Speaker’s decision to adjourn Parliament could significantly undermine the government’s well-intentioned efforts to revoke L.I. 2642, which aims to prevent mining in forest areas.
According to the statement, this situation raises serious concerns about the sincerity of the calls to halt illegal mining.
IPG indicated that the Speaker’s failure to address this pressing issue in parliament suggests a lack of urgency in mitigating if not completely eliminating, the damaging effects of mining activities on our precious water bodies and forests.
Accordingly, the institute indicated that the potential environmental repercussions are alarming, as unchecked mining could lead to irreversible harm to ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these natural resources.
“IPG calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians, including organized labor and other worker groups, to urgently reconvene Parliament to reconsider the provision that allows mining in forest areas”.
Institute of Progressive Governance
Meanwhile, both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) are calling on Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to reconvene Parliament in order to resolve a contentious standoff over which party should hold the majority in the Chamber.
The current dispute arises from the Supreme Court’s stay of execution concerning the Speaker’s decision to declare four parliamentary seats vacant.
This uncertainty has left both parties vying for control, resulting in the indefinite suspension of legislative duties across the country.
This includes the critical approval of the 2025 Budget, as mandated by Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
Additionally, the approval of tax waivers and other significant financial agreements, such as the US$250 million Ghana Financial Stability Fund, has also been stalled.
This situation has placed the Speaker in a challenging position, raising concerns that he may be accused of holding the state’s operations hostage.
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