A growing storm is brewing in Ghana’s political space as the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey has officially petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and the The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akufo Dampare, to launch a full-scale investigation into allegations of illegal mining involving Oscar Larbi, the Member of Parliament for Aowin.
The coalition—comprising media organizations, labour unions, religious bodies, and traditional leaders—expressed its concerns in a letter dated January 30, urging urgent intervention to halt the destruction of the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region, where illegal mining activities have reportedly caused severe environmental damage.
Oscar Larbi stands accused by traditional authorities of facilitating illegal miners whose operations have allegedly led to deforestation, loss of vegetation, and destruction of the area’s ecosystem. The coalition is calling for an independent investigation involving the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Minerals Commission to uncover the truth and hold any guilty parties accountable.
Beyond addressing the case of Oscar Larbi, the petition also demands immediate action against any government officials or MPs found to be involved in the illegal mining menace.
Speaker’s Warning: ‘I Am Not Joking’
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has taken a firm stance on the matter, warning that any MP found complicit in galamsey (illegal mining) will face expulsion from Parliament.
“I have directed that each and every one of you will be given the code of conduct that has been approved as a House,” Bagbin declared in Parliament today.
“I am going to enforce it. That is why I have said that if you have evidence of any member indulging in galamsey, draw my attention. I will put in motion a process where you will lose your membership as a Member of Parliament.”
Bagbin’s warning comes just days after his previous statement on January 28, in which he insisted that the fight against galamsey must start within Parliament itself.
“Honourable members, galamsey must be confronted head-on. If any of you happen to be involved in galamsey, please advise yourself. You must be prepared as a House to bite the bullet. We must lead and show the way.”
The Speaker’s comments reflect growing frustrations over the persistence of illegal mining, which continues to contaminate water bodies, destroy forests, and undermine Ghana’s environmental protection efforts.
In a direct and uncompromising tone, Bagbin declared: “We will take action. That is how we can fight galamsey. We will start the fight from Parliament.”
The Speaker left no room for doubt about his intentions: “I mean what I am saying. I am not joking.”
As the nation watches, the pressure mounts on both the government and Parliament to act decisively against illegal mining and ensure that no lawmaker is above accountability.
What’s Next?
With the petition now before both President Mahama and Speaker Bagbin, all eyes are on the government’s next move. Will an independent probe into Oscar Larbi’s alleged involvement in illegal mining be launched? And will Parliament truly take action against its own members if found guilty?
One thing is clear: the fight against galamsey is no longer just about the miners in the forests—it has reached the very halls of power.
