TheAowin Traditional Council (ATC) in the Western region has accused the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Oscar Ofori Larbi, for his alleged involvement in illegal mining in the Aowin forest.
The Council has, therefore, given assurance of its readiness to provide evidential materials to prove the Legislator’s involvement in the illegal mining in the Aowinforest.
On the basis of this, the Council has called on the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to get ready to prosecute the legislator, while the Parliament of Ghana must also put appropriate sanctions on the Legislator.
Addressing a news conference at Enchi on Monday, this week, Nana Enoku Payin III, chief of Old Yakase and Second in Command of the ATC, detailed the Aowin Legislator and his boy’s involvement in the illegal mining.
Wearing red bands, the Spokesperson told the media that the MP allegedly entered the Aowin forest for the purpose of illegal mining on December 9, 2024 with one of his friends as front man.
The chief further alleged that after the December 7 elections and the subsequent victory of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the MP and his boys started entering the galamsey sites and seizing excavators and other mining equipment. The seized items were reportedly sent to the MP’s boy’s house.
The chief further told the journalists that the Traditional Council invited the MP to the palace on December 12, 2024 to discuss the issue,but he failed to honour the invitation.
According to him, since the MP and the NDC party, which they had also invited failed to show up, they decided to write to the Catholic Bishops Conference to appeal to the MP to stop his boys.
Nana Edoku told the media, “We expect the Ghana Police and Parliament to investigate. We want the police to prosecute Larbi and we shall supply all the evidence that they would need’.
Meanwhile, the MP categorically denied the allegation when this reporter contacted him on phone.
He gave this reporter a statement he had issued to clarify his point. Below is the full press statement;
My attention has been drawn to false claims that I am involved in illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
The allegations are totally and completely false, baseless, malicious and deliberately calculated to injure my hard won reputation.
As the honourable Member of Parliament for Aowin, my topmost priority is the well-being of my constituents.
Consequently, I have been a key advocate of sustainable development and environmental preservation.
Illegal mining is destructive to our natural resources and threatens the livelihoods of future generations – a practice I strongly oppose.
For the avoidance of doubt, I have no involvement, directly or indirectly, in any illegal mining activities. It is disheartening that some faceless people have made it their stock in trade to perpetrate these unfounded allegations against me, in spite of my stiff resistance to illegal mining.
I condemn the recent act of violence and the loss of life in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve. This incident is deeply saddening.
It is worth pointing out that I nearly lost my bid for re-election due to my vigorous campaign against illegal mining.
My opposition to illegal mining made me quite unpopular among certain individuals and threatened my re-election bid in last December parliamentary elections.
My opposition to galamsey has always been real and unwavering, despite its adverse implications on my political fortunes.
I urge those spreading these baseless claims to cease their defamatory acts. My legal team has been instructed to take the necessary steps to protect my reputation if these falsehoods continue.
Furthermore, I condemn the assault on members of the rapid response team and any act of lawlessness.
Violence and impunity have no place in our society. I remain committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to protect Ghana’s natural resources and promote sustainable development.
Finally, I encourage my constituents and the general public to disregard these malicious rumours and treat them with the contempt that they deserve. Let us stay focused on building a better future for our community and nation.
Thank you.
Signed,
Hon. Oscar Ofori Larbi
Member of Parliament for Aowin Constituency
