The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has called on President John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action over allegations of illegal mining involving the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Larbi.
In a letter dated January 30 and addressed to the Jubilee House, the coalition—which comprises media organizations, labor groups, faith-based bodies, and traditional authorities—highlighted the urgent need for government intervention to address the issue.
The allegations focus on illegal mining activities in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve, located in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region. Traditional authorities in the area accuse Oscar Larbi of facilitating the entry of illegal miners, whose operations they claim have caused extensive environmental damage, including vegetation destruction and significant forest loss.
In its petition, the coalition is demanding an independent investigation involving the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Minerals Commission to uncover the truth and hold accountable any individuals or groups found responsible for the destruction.
The coalition also urged the government to take swift action against any MP or public official implicated in illegal mining, emphasizing that failure to act could undermine public confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting galamsey.
In addition to petitioning the President, the coalition has also reached out to the Speaker of Parliament and the Inspector General of Police, underscoring the importance of addressing these allegations to restore trust in the nation’s institutions and environmental policies.