The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has conducted a major enforcement operation in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, targeting suspected illegal sand-winning activities. The operation, supported by the Artillery Brigade of the Ghana Army, focused on two identified sites at Agbozume Klikor and Ohawu, where active sand-winning operations were disrupted. This effort aims to protect the environment and restore compliance within the sand extraction sector.
During the operation, 30 persons were arrested and 35 tipper trucks were intercepted, with a significant number bearing Togolese registration numbers. The arrested suspects were handed over to the Dzodze District Police Station for further investigation, while the intercepted trucks were moved to a secure holding location. The presence of vehicles with Togolese registration numbers raises concerns about the movement of vehicles involved in sand-winning activities within the area.
NAIMOS has warned that enforcement will not focus solely on those found excavating sand. Truck owners, transporters, and other actors who facilitate the movement of sand from unauthorised sites will also come under scrutiny if their activities are found to support illegal operations. This approach aims to address the broader logistics that sustain illegal sand-winning activities.
The Secretariat will continue targeted operations in identified hotspots and maintain close collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, local authorities, and other relevant institutions to prevent the resurgence of illegal sand-winning activities. NAIMOS is urging operators in the sector to ensure that sand is sourced only from lawfully approved locations and that all activities are conducted in accordance with the relevant regulatory requirements.
Unregulated sand winning can have severe environmental consequences, including degrading farmland, damaging roads and surrounding landscapes, threatening communities, and undermining efforts to manage natural resources responsibly. NAIMOS has therefore emphasised that economic activity cannot be pursued at the expense of the environment and the law.
The exercise sends a clear message that illegal sand winning will be treated with the same seriousness as other forms of unauthorised mineral extraction. NAIMOS will continue to act against illegal sand-winning operations and the logistics that sustain them, while supporting lawful and responsible operators.
NAIMOS is committed to maintaining its efforts to combat illegal sand-winning activities, working closely with stakeholders to ensure that sand extraction is carried out in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. The Secretariat's actions aim to promote sustainable practices and protect the environment for future generations.
Key points
- 30 persons were arrested and 35 tipper trucks were intercepted during the operation.
- NAIMOS will continue to target truck owners, transporters, and other actors who facilitate the movement of sand from unauthorised sites.
- The operation aims to protect the environment and restore compliance within the sand extraction sector.
