Regarding claims of Galamsey involving Oscar Larbi, the Member of Parliament for Aowin, the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to act decisively.
In a letter sent to Jubilee House on January 30, the coalition—which consists of traditional authorities, labor organizations, faith-based organizations, and the media—voiced its concerns and emphasized the urgency of taking action to resolve this matter.
The claims focus on the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region’s Aowin Municipality, which has allegedly been impacted by illicit mining operations.
The local traditional authority accuse Oscar Larbi of bringing in illegal miners whose actions they claim are demeaning and harmful.
The coalition claims that these actions have caused serious environmental damage, such as the loss of forests and the destruction of vegetation.
In order to ascertain the truth and hold responsible any people or organizations found responsible for the devastation, the Coalition is requesting in its petition to President Mahama an independent investigation involving important organizations like the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Minerals Commission.
Additionally, it demands that any MP or government official proven to be engaged in illicit mining activities face prompt consequences.
The Coalition emphasized that resolving these accusations is essential to preserving public confidence in the government’s resolve to combat galamsey and petitioned the Speaker of Parliament and the Inspector General of Police on the subject.
