Investigate activities of sand winning – Sylvester Tetteh
A probe into illegal sand winning activities in the Ngleshie Amanfrom area has been called for by the legislator for the Bortianor -Ngleshie Amanfro constituency, Sylvester Tetteh.
The lawmaker’s call for investigations is stemmed from the unfortunate drowning of three children in a pit which is believed to have been created by illegal sand-winning activities at Akwasa Hills near Tuba in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
Reports indicate that the children were riding their bicycles when they fell into the pit.
According to Mr Tetteh, the probe will trigger immediate action from the government and key stakeholders to address illegal sand winning activities.
“I am inviting the National Security, the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Department of Urban Roads to probe this matter. I think national efforts are required to save the lives of residents.”
Giving an account of the extent of damage due to illegal sand winning activities, Mr Tetteh said: “This is a national disaster. They have dug deep into the mountain, and it is hanging. A landslide will occur, and it will affect residents.”
Two years ago, the Ga South Municipal Assembly banned sand winning activities but the effects of the illegal activity are still evident, especially during the rainy season.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) amid this incident has revealed that more than twenty people have died through either drowning or being trapped in mining pits in some areas in the Ashanti Region.
According to officials of NADMO, the incidents were recorded between 2019 and 2021 in mining areas.
NADMO is attributing the deaths to the activities of illegal miners who have left most pits uncovered after mining in these areas.
