Soldier Arrested in Illegal Sand Winning Scandal: Ghana Armed Forces Under Scrutiny

A military officer, Augustine Yeboah, from the 48 Engineer Regiment at Teshie Barracks, has been arrested for allegedly providing security for illegal sand-winning operations in Ningo-Prampram, Greater Accra. His arrest has sparked outrage, with many Ghanaians questioning the professional integrity of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Yeboah was apprehended alongside three others—Emmanuel Doodu, Samuel Danso, and Vincent Oko Narh Taffah—who were illegally mining sand on a property owned by Seamless International Limited/Comet Properties Limited. The group was arrested on October 3, 2024, at Old Ningo-Bernganor following a tipoff. Their illegal activities were said to be threatening a major real estate development, the Atlantic Beachfront Resorts and Residential Master-Planned City, commonly referred to as Comet Marina.

The accused were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime by acting as land guards, providing protection for illegal mining activities. They were granted bail of GH₵60,000 each, with two sureties to be justified with immovable property. However, they have been unable to meet the bail conditions and remain in police custody, with a court appearance scheduled for November 25, 2024.

Despite being in police custody, Yeboah, who was handed over to the Military Command, did not appear in court as expected on October 7, 2024. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, and military police later escorted him to court after the session had ended. He was due to reappear in court on October 8, 2024.

Developer Raises Alarm Over Environmental Threats

Akua Afriyie, spokesperson for Seamless International Limited/Comet Properties, has raised concerns over the devastating impact of the illegal sand mining on the Prampram beachfront housing project. According to Afriyie, the future of the 400-acre development, which includes sea-front hotels, apartments, restaurants, and a gated community, is in jeopardy due to the activities of the illegal sand miners.

Afriyie highlighted the environmental damage caused by the sand winning, which has resulted in excavation to depths of 10 to 20 feet over 21 acres. The estimated cost of reclaiming the land and mitigating the environmental damage stands at GH₵55 million.

“The unauthorised sand mining has been taking place under the cover of darkness, causing severe erosion and posing long-term ecological risks to the project site,” Afriyie warned, adding that if the situation continues, the project’s completion will be severely compromised.

Calls for Government Action

The developers have called for urgent intervention from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to address the illegal sand winning and protect the project site. They also appealed for enhanced security measures to prevent further destruction and ensure the successful continuation of the project.

Source: with support from Soireenews