NAIMOS Arrests Illegal Sand-Winning in Aveyime; 3 Chinese Nationals Held

• NAIMOS arrested three Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian man for illegal sand-winning in Aveyime, Greater Accra Region.
• The foreign nationals lacked valid residency permits, and the sand-winning operation had no legal documentation.
• Heavy machinery, including a fuel barge, payloader, and excavator, was discovered at the site.
• Suspects will be processed by the Sege Police and Ghana Immigration Service in Accra.
• Authorities called for stronger collaboration between the Minerals Commission and security agencies to curb illegal sand extraction.

This enforcement action underscores the increasing inter-agency collaboration in Ghana to combat illegal sand extraction and ensure regulatory compliance.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) recently conducted an enforcement operation in Aveyime, located within the Greater Accra Region, leading to the arrest of three Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian man. This crackdown specifically targeted suspected illegal sand-winning activities, where authorities discovered heavy machinery and other equipment actively being used for sand extraction.

Colonel Kwame Sam Appiah, the Director of Operations for NAIMOS, confirmed that the foreign nationals apprehended at the site were unable to present valid residency permits or any other documentation to justify their presence in Ghana. Following their initial processing at the Sege Police Station, these individuals are slated for transfer to the Ghana Immigration Service in Accra for further action. The Ghanaian suspect was identified as an alleged foreman or translator, facilitating communication between the Chinese nationals and other workers at the site. All four individuals are expected to undergo additional processing in Accra.

Beyond the immigration irregularities, the operators of the sand-winning site, including its purported owner, failed to provide any documents that would establish the legality of their extraction activities. In response, NAIMOS issued an immediate directive for all operations at the site to cease and instructed the operators to report to the Minerals Commission for a thorough inspection and verification of their permits. Among the heavy equipment found during the operation were a fuel barge, a payloader, and an excavator, all believed to be integral to the extraction process.

Daniel Dan Yaro, the Commander of the Sege District Police Headquarters, emphasized the critical need for enhanced collaboration between the Minerals Commission and various security agencies. He advocated for a professional approach during enforcement operations to prevent any excesses and ensure that all parties involved fully comprehend the rationale behind such actions. Commander Yaro specifically urged the Minerals Commission to strengthen its partnership with security forces to more effectively combat illegal sand extraction across the region.

This recent operation by NAIMOS comes amidst increasing concerns from residents in Afienya regarding the persistent activities of sand winners and their detrimental impact on surrounding communities. Earlier enforcement exercises had already prompted residents to voice their worries about the environmental and social consequences, calling for urgent intervention from authorities.

Looking ahead, NAIMOS has indicated its intention to collaborate closely with the relevant sector ministry. This partnership aims to develop and implement revised measures specifically designed to address illegal sand winning and mitigate further environmental degradation caused by such unauthorized activities. This enforcement action underscores the increasing inter-agency collaboration in Ghana to combat illegal sand extraction and ensure regulatory compliance.

Lawyers advising clients in the extractive sector, particularly sand winning, must ensure strict compliance with all necessary permits from the Minerals Commission and valid residency/work permits for foreign employees. This operation signals increased enforcement and inter-agency collaboration (NAIMOS, Police, Immigration, Minerals Commission) in Ghana, necessitating thorough due diligence to avoid operational shutdowns, arrests, and potential deportation of foreign staff.

Source: Original reporting via JoyNews