NAIMOS Ghana: New Measures to Curb Illegal Sand Winning

• The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) plans to introduce tougher measures against illegal sand winning in Ghana.
• This decision follows a recent operation that exposed extensive environmental degradation in the Greater Accra Region due to unregulated sand extraction.
• NAIMOS spokesperson Paa Kwesi Schandorf described illegal sand winning as 'another act of environmental terrorism' that Ghana cannot afford.
• The Sege District Police Commander called for enhanced collaboration between the Minerals Commission and security agencies for effective enforcement.
• Revised plans are expected to be developed quickly by NAIMOS and the sector ministry to address this environmental threat.

He explicitly declared that NAIMOS and the sector ministry would 'quickly develop, revise plans to ensure that this is quickly and immediately and instantaneously dealt with,' labeling the activity as 'another act of environmental terrorism' that Ghana, still grappling with the ravages of illegal mining, could not afford to entertain.

A recent enforcement operation by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has brought to light extensive environmental degradation across parts of the Greater Accra Region. This crackdown specifically targeted illegal sand winning, uncovering widespread land destruction directly attributable to unregulated sand extraction activities. The findings have intensified concerns regarding the severe environmental consequences of these operations and their detrimental impact on nearby communities. Residents in areas like Afienya had previously voiced significant concerns about the persistent activities of sand winners and the adverse effects these were having on their localities, sharing their experiences with a JoyNews reporter during the latest enforcement exercise.

In response to these alarming discoveries, NAIMOS has announced its intention to collaborate closely with the relevant sector ministry to formulate and implement revised, tougher measures aimed at immediately curbing illegal sand winning. Paa Kwesi Schandorf, a spokesperson for NAIMOS, underscored the critical need for urgency, stating that both the Secretariat and the ministry would swiftly review existing Ghana sand extraction regulations and introduce new interventions designed to halt further environmental destruction. Schandorf characterized illegal sand winning as an additional grave threat to Ghana's already delicate environment, cautioning that the nation could not withstand another environmental crisis. He explicitly declared that NAIMOS and the sector ministry would 'quickly develop, revise plans to ensure that this is quickly and immediately and instantaneously dealt with,' labeling the activity as 'another act of environmental terrorism' that Ghana, still grappling with the ravages of illegal mining, could not afford to entertain.

Further emphasizing the need for a robust and coordinated approach, Daniel Dan Yaro, Commander of the Sege District Police Headquarters, has called for stronger collaboration between the Minerals Commission and various security agencies. His appeal centers on ensuring more effective enforcement against illegal sand extraction, highlighting the importance of professionalism and proper coordination during these operations. This, he noted, would prevent excesses and ensure that all involved parties fully comprehend the rationale behind the enforcement actions. Yaro specifically urged the Minerals Commission to bolster its cooperation with security agencies, asserting that a unified and coordinated strategy is essential to significantly reduce the prevalence of illegal sand winning. NAIMOS anticipates that these proposed revised measures will substantially strengthen ongoing efforts to combat illegal sand extraction and proactively prevent further Greater Accra environmental degradation, signaling a determined push to safeguard the nation's ecological integrity through new NAIMOS Ghana illegal sand winning measures.

Lawyers advising clients in the construction, mining, or land development sectors in Ghana should anticipate and prepare for significantly tougher regulatory measures and increased enforcement against illegal sand winning. Clients involved in sand extraction or sourcing must review their operational compliance and environmental impact assessments to mitigate exposure to new interventions and coordinated legal actions by NAIMOS and the Minerals Commission.

Source: Original reporting via Prince Adu-Owusu / JoyNews