The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to launch an investigation into allegations of illegal mining involving the Member of Parliament for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi.

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In a formal letter dated January 30, the coalition—comprising media organisations, labour unions, religious groups, and traditional leaders—expressed deep concerns over reports that the MP has been linked to illegal mining activities within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.

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Local traditional authorities have accused the lawmaker of enabling illegal miners to gain access to the forest reserve, an area that has reportedly suffered severe deforestation and environmental degradation due to unregulated mining operations.According to the coalition, the destruction caused by these activities has led to the loss of significant forest cover and posed serious ecological threats.

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The group is, therefore, calling for a comprehensive and independent investigation involving key state institutions such as the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Minerals Commission to establish the truth and hold those responsible accountable.

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It has also urged the government to take swift punitive action against any public officials or legislators found complicit in illegal mining, insisting that strong measures are necessary to reinforce the government's commitment to fighting galamsey and protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

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Beyond petitioning the President, the coalition has also reached out to the Speaker of Parliament and the Inspector General of Police, stressing that a failure to act decisively could weaken public trust in the government’s fight against illegal mining and undermine national efforts to curb the menace.

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