The clarification comes after a recent operation by the National Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS), which arrested armed men impersonating the Anti-Galamsey Task Force in the Nyankamam-Amori forest of the Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region.

Reports suggested the men were operating with impunity and extorting money from miners, leading to their detention and handover to the police.

Speaking to the press, Nana Kwame Asare Bimpong I explained that the suspects are palace guards who assist in combating illegal mining under the guidance of the paramount chief, Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III.

“I doubt the involvement of the suspects in extortion of miners, but I commend NAIMOS for intensifying operations in the area,” he said.

The Mmratehene also highlighted ongoing efforts to educate miners in the Aowin enclave on responsible mining practices that protect rivers and forests. “We are working to ensure mining activities do not harm our natural resources,” he added.

The statement clarifies the role of palace guards in environmental protection and reinforces the council’s commitment to responsible mining in the municipality.

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According to NAIMOS, the suspects claimed connections with the Aowin Paramount Chief and were using their alleged authority to intimidate and extort money from galamsey operators. Their actions reportedly facilitated illegal mining and allowed them to operate with near impunity.

The task force apprehended the individuals along with their weapons and talismans. They are currently in custody and will be handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigation.

NAIMOS urged communities and stakeholders to cooperate in the fight against illegal mining, stressing that such activities harm both the environment and local populations.

The operation underscores ongoing efforts by authorities to dismantle networks exploiting the lucrative but illegal gold mining sector while protecting law-abiding miners and preserving the environment.

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The Chief of Nkwanta and a member of the Aowin Traditional Council, Nana Ntow, made the allegation in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem.

He claimed that the MP had formed a “galamsey squad” and had hired thugs from Northern Ghana to carry out mining in the forest.

“When we first heard about it, we called Larbi, but he didn’t show up. Instead, his special assistant, KED, came to the palace and said the individuals mining in the forest were operating with Larbi’s authority,” Nana Ntow said.

He added, “KED told us that the squad formed by the MP was responsible for the destruction, and when confronted, the miners would claim they were working for Larbi.”

The Aowin Traditional Council has urged the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to take urgent action to protect the Tano Anwia Forest, which has been overrun by illegal miners despite a ban by the traditional council.

Nana Ntow and other council members are calling on the regional executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to intervene.

However, Mr. Ofori Larbi on the same show vehemently denied the accusations.

“Every single allegation against me is completely false and baseless. This is a deliberate attempt to tarnish my reputation. The claim that I’ve brought northerners to engage in galamsey is particularly surprising, given that these individuals are actually party members who were introduced to the illegal mining task force by the traditional authorities themselves,” he said.

The MP further stated that he has been actively working against illegal mining in the area, adding that he was shocked by the accusations.

“I didn’t ignore the Traditional Council’s call. At the time, I was attending to a personal matter at the Enchi Government Hospital, and they were aware of it. They delegated Nana Tando, one of the chiefs, to meet with me once I recovered,” Mr. Ofori Larbi explained.

However, Nana Ntow insists that the MP is involved in the galamsey activities and is refusing to tell the truth.

“If he continues to deny his actions, we will have no choice but to resort to cursing to ensure that the right thing is done. We want to make it clear that the MP must stay away from the forest reserve and stop bringing illegal miners into the area,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ofori Larbi expressed a willingness to apologize for not responding to the council’s initial call, but firmly rejected the allegations.

“I have no issues with them, but their claims are just false and meant to tarnish my image,” he stated.

This follows a deadly clash between two illegal mining groups that resulted in two deaths and several injuries in the area.

AIOWIN CHIEFS AND MP CLASH GALAMSEY

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