Accra: The Concerned Youth of Samreboi has strongly refuted claims made by Eric Afful, the Member of Parliament for Amenfi West, regarding the absence of illegal mining activities in Samreboi and the broader Amenfi West constituency.
According to Ghana Web, Godwin Tweneboah, the Public Relations Officer for the youth group, expressed on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM's news programme, Nyankonton Mu Nsem, that the assertions made by the lawmaker were false and disconnected from the daily experiences of local residents.
The rebuttal follows a statement by the MP during a media interaction on July 27, 2026, where he declared that illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, had been eradicated in the region.
Contrary to the MP's remarks, Mr. Tweneboah asserted that galamsey operations are a daily occurrence in and around Samreboi, with a notably active site located centrally in the community, known as Chin Load.
He emphasized the severity of the ongoing illegal mining by recounting a recent tragedy where a young man lost his life at the Chin Load site three months ago. This incident incited significant outrage, prompting infuriated local youth to set three excavators on fire in protest.
The spokesperson conveyed the community's disappointment with the MP's public denial of the issue, insisting that the leader should acknowledge the reality of the situation. He stressed that recognizing the problem is essential to developing a sustainable solution.
The Concerned Youth has urged the lawmaker and relevant state authorities to engage directly with the local community to effectively address illegal mining activities and ensure environmental protection for future generations.