The Aowin Traditional Council has banned the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aowin, Oscar Ofori Larbi, from setting foot on any land within the Aowin Traditional Area over allegations of disrespect toward the paramount chief and other divisional chiefs.
The chiefs, dressed in black and red, performed a traditional ritual involving the pouring of libation and the sacrifice of a white sheep to formally sever ties with the MP. Led by the Chief of Omanpe, Nana Opong Payin III, they invoked their gods to take severe action if Larbi defied the ban.
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“We have not cursed him, but we are following our ancestors’ traditions. If someone disrespects you and does not honour your summons, you pour libation to banish them,” Nana Opong Payin III stated.
The council has also appealed to former President John Dramani Mahama to assign developmental projects in Aowin to the Western North Regional Minister or the yet-to-be-appointed Aowin Municipal Chief Executive, excluding the MP from all governance matters in the area.
Illegal mining allegations
The dispute follows accusations that in January 2025, Larbi was involved in illegal mining operations within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve. The council claims he formed a “galamsey squad” and facilitated illegal mining activities in the area.
“When Nana heard about it, we called Larbi, but he refused to appear. Instead, his special assistant, KED, came to the palace and confirmed that the illegal miners were operating under Larbi’s authority,” said Nana Ntow, Chief of Nkwanta.
According to the chiefs, multiple attempts to engage Larbi were unsuccessful, prompting them to seek intervention from regional executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
“As we speak, Larbi has not honoured our call. He allegedly collected GH¢200,000 as an entry fee for groups to access our forest reserves. We had no choice but to write to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference on January 20, 2025, seeking government intervention,” stated Nana Opayin II, Tufuhene of the Enchi Traditional Council.
The council has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch an investigation into the MP’s alleged involvement in illegal mining, pledging to provide evidence to aid the probe.
Meanwhile, Oscar Ofori Larbi has dismissed all accusations as baseless falsehoods.
