Need for new legislative framework to regulate environmental crime

Takoradi, July 30, GNA – The government has accepted the Constitutional Review Commission's (CRC) proposal for a new legislative framework on environmental crime in relation to the exploitation of natural resources.

The government has also agreed to review the tax regime on natural resources, to enable the state to achieve better financial returns on it resources.

According to a Government' white paper issued on recommendation made by the CRC on “Lands and Natural Resources,” copied to the GNA at Takoradi, government has accepted suggestions that there should be periodic review of the stabilization clauses in the Natural Resources Agreements”.

The state also adopted the following principles: management of the natural resources to ensure equitable distribution, local content development and Ghana as the primary beneficiary of its natural resources into the Directive Principles of State Policy.

The white paper accepted that the various Acts of Parliament dealing with benefits and sharing of natural resources, be reviewed to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the use of resources.

The white paper disagreed with the CRC's proposal for a constitutional definition of stool/skin land to encompass family lands that have the character of stool and skin lands.

It said: “Government recognizes the need for a constitutional definition of family as distinct from stool/skin land”.

GNA