NAIMOS arrests four over suspected illegal sand-winning at Afienya

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 4 people and impounded 3 trucks during an enforcement operation targeting suspected illegal sand-winning activities at 3 locations in the Greater Accra Region.

The operation, conducted on Thursday, November 5, 2026, was led by the Secretariat’s Director of Operations, Colonel K. S. Appiah, and covered Asutsuare in the Shai-Osudoku District, Volivo and parts of the Afienya enclave.

The exercise was part of NAIMOS’ efforts to curb unauthorised sand extraction and prevent further environmental degradation across the country.

The 4 suspects were arrested over their alleged involvement in the activities, while the 3 trucks believed to have been used in the operations were seized and handed over to the police. Some foreign nationals encountered at Asutsuare were also questioned.

As part of the exercise, NAIMOS personnel engaged residents in some affected communities, particularly within the Afienya enclave, to understand how illegal sand-winning was affecting their livelihoods and the surrounding environment.

Some residents expressed concern about the scale of the activities, describing them as a serious threat to their communities and calling for sustained action to prevent further destruction.

NAIMOS assured the residents that enforcement operations would continue and urged them to support the fight by sharing relevant information and cooperating with security personnel.

The Secretariat also held discussions with the Afienya District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Stanley Dzakpasu, over reports of an alleged confrontation between military and police personnel during an earlier enforcement exercise.

According to the account presented to NAIMOS, Mr Dzakpasu rejected suggestions that a confrontation had occurred between the two security agencies. He reportedly commended the military personnel for their professionalism during the previous operation.

He also reaffirmed the police service’s commitment to working with NAIMOS in carrying out its mandate.

The Secretariat said it remained determined to intensify its campaign against illegal sand-winning and other forms of unauthorised mineral extraction nationwide.

Under the leadership of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, NAIMOS said it would continue to combine enforcement operations with stakeholder engagement and community cooperation to protect the country's land and natural resources.