Residents from more than ten communities in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana have staged a protest against what they describe as rampant illegal sand winning that is destroying their farmlands and desecrating a local cemetery.
The affected communities include Kplande, Gbugbla, Dornu, Osofo Lamptey, Kyekyere, Tatsonya, Okpe, Afanya, and Ayima.
According to residents, a group of sand winners has been operating in the area without authorization, excavating large portions of land and destroying crops belonging to farmers.
They also claim the sand winning activities have extended to areas close to the community cemetery, exposing graves and causing distress among families whose relatives are buried there.
Residents say attempts to stop the operators have been met with threats, alleging that some of the individuals involved carry weapons and intimidate community members who challenge them.
More than one hundred residents are said to have joined the protest, calling on authorities to intervene and halt the destruction of their land and sources of livelihood.
The Assembly Member for the area, Odartey Lamptey, has backed the residents’ concerns and is urging government authorities to act swiftly to stop the illegal sand winning activities.
He warned that if urgent action is not taken, more farmlands, plantations, and community lands could be permanently damaged, affecting the livelihoods of many families in the area.
Residents are therefore appealing to the Ga South Municipal Assembly and other relevant authorities to intervene immediately to protect their environment and preserve their community lands.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
