The Eagle Eyesight Spirit, a civic watchdog group, has sounded a strong warning to the government over the destructive effects of illegal sand winning along the Gomoa Fetteh Beach in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.
At a press conference held on Monday, September 15, the Director of the organization, Patrick Winibood Ndego, revealed that the unlawful activities of sand miners have severely damaged the sea defense system constructed to protect nearby communities from tidal waves.
According to Mr. Ndego, the sea defense has been eroded to a dangerous extent, with only about four feet left before a possible collapse. He cautioned that if immediate action is not taken, the sea could break its barriers and flood towns such as Fetteh Kakraba, Tuba, and Kasoa, potentially displacing nearly 25,000 residents.
“Our investigations have revealed that the manner in which sand is being illegally mined here is very alarming. If the ruling government does not act swiftly, the sea will cross its boundaries and enter the nearby towns. This will be disastrous,” he stated.
The group identified two individuals, Anthony Annan alias Nii Bokorbokor and Charles Graham alias Kwesi Alhaji, as the key figures behind the sand-winning operations. Eagle Eyesight Spirit alleged that the duo have excavated close to 400,000 cubic meters of sand near the Pentecost Convention Centre and an additional 400,000 cubic meters near the Marine Hotel, amounting to over one million tons of sand.
Mr. Ndego further alleged that the operators claim to have the backing of influential figures, including individuals linked to the Flagstaff House and National Security. He disclosed that efforts to reach one such “big men” mentioned during their investigations proved futile.
The group accused some security agencies of complicity, noting that a police complaint was lodged, but officers allegedly tipped off the illegal miners before a site visit.
“We know those who are winning the sand, and we have evidence, including the equipment they are using. This is even more dangerous than galamsey and must be treated as a national emergency,” Mr. Ndego stressed.
He also recounted how an undercover journalist who attempted to document the activity was attacked by armed men and narrowly escaped with the help of an Okada rider.
Eagle Eyesight Spirit has called on President John Dramani Mahama, the National Security apparatus, the Ghana Police Service, NADMO, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Minerals Commission to urgently intervene.
The group urged the public to provide information that could aid their investigations and vowed to publish the names of officials allegedly backing the illegal operators once their findings are confirmed.
