The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested four persons and intercepted three tipper trucks at Afienya as it intensifies its crackdown on illegal sand-winning activities in the Greater Accra Region.
The operations have also uncovered extensive environmental degradation at Asutsuare, Dofor and Volivo in the Shai-Osudoku District, where uncontrolled sand extraction is threatening farmlands, riverbanks and nearby communities.
At Afienya, the NAIMOS task force intercepted three tipper trucks suspected of transporting sand extracted through illegal operations and arrested four persons as part of efforts to clamp down on the unlawful exploitation of natural resources.
Afienya District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Stanley Dzakpasu, confirmed the arrests, indicating that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected illegal activities.
In a related operation, NAIMOS Director of Operations, Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah, inspected the activities of Z and J 198 GH Limited at Asutsuare to strengthen monitoring and enforcement in sand-winning areas.
During the inspection, four foreign nationals were identified at the site. Two reportedly presented their passports, while the remaining two could not produce their travel documents.
The company’s operating licence, which reportedly expired in 2025, is also said to be undergoing renewal.
Meanwhile, inspections at Dofor and Volivo revealed extensive environmental destruction, with large portions of land severely degraded by continuous sand extraction.
The degradation has raised concerns about the destruction of riverbanks, increased vulnerability to flooding and the potential danger to communities located close to the affected areas.
NAIMOS spokesperson, Paa Kwasi Schandorf, has urged individuals and companies engaged in sand-winning to obtain the necessary permits and documentation before commencing operations.
He cautioned operators against flouting the country’s mining regulations, stressing that authorities would intensify enforcement measures to protect the environment.
According to him, the Ministry would strengthen efforts to deal with illegal mining and sand-winning activities as part of a broader commitment to environmental protection and regulatory compliance.
Some residents in the affected communities have also expressed concern about the devastating impact of the activities on their livelihoods and the future of their settlements.
