Three individuals suspected of illegal sand mining, along with a soldier, have been arrested in Bernganor, a suburb of Lekpongunor within the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region.
The arrests followed a tip-off regarding unauthorized sand mining on land owned by Seamless International Limited/Comet Properties Limited.
Authorities apprehended the suspects while they were actively mining at the site. The soldier, who was in military uniform, was reportedly hired to protect the illegal operations.
They faced charges of unlawful damage and mining without a permit during their court appearance at Gbetsile in the Kpone-Katamanso District on Friday.
Madam Akua Afriyie, a spokesperson for Seamless International Limited/Comet Properties Limited, raised serious concerns about the environmental destruction caused by the illegal mining. She highlighted that these activities threaten their beachfront and residential projects.
According to Madam Afriyie, the sand-mining efforts have resulted in excavations reaching depths of 10 to 20 feet over an area of 21 acres, estimating the restoration costs to be around GH₵55 million.
She warned of potential severe erosion and long-term environmental degradation, which could compromise their 400-acre development project and other initiatives along the seafront.
She has called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to intervene and halt illegal sand mining activities to prevent further damage.