Illegal sand-winning activities at Afienya and Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region are raising serious concerns over the safety of high-tension electricity infrastructure and the degradation of surrounding lands.
Chairman of the National Association of Sand Stone Workers and Tipper Truck Drivers, Lyngstern Whyte, raised the concerns during a monitoring tour of areas affected by illegal sand-winning activities.
Mr. Whyte warned that illegal operators were using heavy-duty machinery to excavate sand dangerously close to high-tension power lines and pylons.
According to him, the continued removal of sand around the pylons was weakening the surrounding land and could undermine the stability of the electricity infrastructure.
He cautioned that a collapse of the pylons or high-tension lines could trigger a major power-related disaster, potentially putting lives and property at risk.
Mr. Whyte also highlighted the environmental consequences of the illegal activities, including the creation of deep pits, destruction of vegetation and farmlands, and the degradation of large areas of land in the affected communities.
He is calling on the Minerals Commission, NAIMOS, the District Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to urgently intervene, halt the illegal operations and enforce existing regulations governing sand-winning activities.
The concerns were raised during a monitoring exercise conducted by the Minerals Commission to identify areas severely affected by illegal sand winning and assess the extent of the environmental and infrastructural damage.
Residents of Afienya and Dawhenya have also expressed concern about the increasing risks associated with the activities, particularly the excavation taking place close to power infrastructure and the deep pits left behind.
They are appealing to the relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent possible accidents, safeguard lives and property, and halt further environmental destruction.
