The Attorney General, Minerals Commission, the Director of Wild Life Division and the Water Resources Commission have been sued at the Supreme Court over alleged unconstitutional mining activities at the Keta Lagoon Complex.
The Anlo Youth Council, the Plaintiff, say “on a true and proper interpretation of Article 268 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the grant of a license by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and/or the Minerals Commission to Kensington Industries Limited, Seven Seas Salt Limited and other companies or persons to exploit and mine salt in the Keta Lagoon Complex without the approval or ratification by Parliament” amounts to an unconstitutionality.
The Council is also praying the Court to declare all licenses granted by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to Kensington Industries Limited, Seven Seas Salt Mining Limited or any other person to extract brine from beneath the bed of the Keta Lagoon Complex as being inconsistent with Article 36(9) of the 1992 Constitution, which ensures “sustainable utilization” and “wise use” of natural resources.
In all, the suit at the Supreme Court is seeking nine reliefs, in all, including “an order of mandamus directed at the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, the Water Resources Commission and the Director, Wild Life Division of the Forestry, Commission to remove forthwith all obstacles erected in the path of the Belikpa stream to allow the natural free flow of the fresh waters of the Belikpa stream into the Keta Lagoon Complex as has been the case since time immemorial.”
Salt mining in the Volta Region has been a source of agitation for some residents.
Demonstrations in March this year over the activities of Seven Seas Salt Mining Limited at Adina, in the Ketu South District of the Volta Region, led to one death.
myjoyonline.com