NAIMOS: Illegal Sand Winning in Ketu North Leads to 30 Arrests

• The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) conducted an enforcement operation in Ketu North Municipality, Volta Region.
• The operation led to the arrest of 30 individuals and the interception of 35 tipper trucks, many with Togolese registration numbers.
• NAIMOS considers illegal sand winning as serious as other unauthorized mineral extraction due to its environmental and community impacts.
• Enforcement will now target not only excavators but also truck owners, transporters, and facilitators of illegal sand movement.
• NAIMOS urges all operators to source sand only from approved locations and comply with regulatory requirements.

Instead, the net will widen to include truck owners, transporters, and any other parties whose actions facilitate the movement of sand from unapproved sites.

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), supported by the Ghana Army's Artillery Brigade, recently conducted a significant enforcement operation targeting suspected illegal sand-winning activities within the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region. This concerted effort aimed to disrupt unauthorized operations at two specific locations: Agbozume Klikor and Ohawu. The intervention forms part of a broader initiative to safeguard the environment and re-establish adherence to regulations within Ghana's sand extraction sector.

During the operation, authorities apprehended 30 individuals suspected of involvement in the illicit activities. Concurrently, 35 tipper trucks were intercepted, with a notable number of these vehicles bearing Togolese registration numbers, which has raised additional concerns regarding cross-border movements associated with sand winning in the area. The arrested individuals have since been transferred to the Dzodze District Police Station for ongoing investigation, while the seized trucks have been secured at a designated holding facility. This action underscores the intensified NAIMOS illegal sand winning Ketu North crackdown.

NAIMOS has explicitly stated that illegal sand winning will be met with the same level of gravity as other forms of unauthorized mineral extraction. This firm stance reflects the severe consequences of unregulated sand extraction, which include the degradation of agricultural land, damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, and broader harm to surrounding landscapes. Such activities also pose direct threats to local communities and undermine efforts to manage natural resources responsibly across Ghana.

A key aspect of NAIMOS's evolving strategy for Ghana illegal sand extraction enforcement is its expanded focus. The Secretariat has issued a clear warning that its enforcement efforts will not be confined solely to those directly involved in excavating sand. Instead, the net will widen to include truck owners, transporters, and any other parties whose actions facilitate the movement of sand from unapproved sites. This comprehensive approach aims to dismantle the entire logistics chain supporting illegal operations, thereby increasing the legal and financial exposure for all involved.

Looking ahead, NAIMOS has committed to continuing targeted operations in identified hotspots, maintaining robust collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, local authorities, and other relevant institutions. This sustained effort is designed to prevent the resurgence of illegal sand-winning activities and ensure lasting compliance. The Secretariat emphasizes that economic pursuits must not come at the expense of environmental integrity and legal adherence.

Operators within the sand extraction industry are strongly urged to ensure that all sand is sourced exclusively from lawfully approved locations and that every aspect of their activities strictly conforms to the pertinent regulatory requirements. NAIMOS reiterates its resolve to act decisively against illegal sand-winning operations and the logistical networks that sustain them, while simultaneously supporting and promoting the work of lawful and responsible operators in the sector. This highlights the critical importance of Ghana sand mining regulations compliance.

Lawyers advising clients in Ghana's sand extraction sector, particularly in the Volta Region, must immediately review their clients' operational compliance and supply chain due diligence. The intensified NAIMOS crackdown, including targeting transporters and facilitators, significantly increases legal and financial exposure for any entity involved in sourcing or moving sand from unapproved locations, necessitating proactive risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com