Sand contractors seek regulatory clarity over enforcement operations at Dawa

The Sand and Stone Contractors Association of Ghana has called on state authorities to clarify the regulatory procedures governing sand-winning and transportation activities at Dawa and neighbouring communities. The Association says uncertainty surrounding enforcement operations, documentation requirements and the issuance of fines is creating difficulties for sand winners and tipper truck operators and requires urgent attention from the relevant institutions. In a petition signed by its Acting National Chairman, Anthony Mensah, the Association said it had approached several state institutions, including the Minerals Commission, the Ghana Military Police, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Tema Regional Police Command and the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, to seek intervention.

It said the concerns relate to activities affecting operators at Dawa, Sege Volivo, Tokpo and Lurta, as well as members operating from several surrounding communities. These include Dawhenya, Prampram, Afienya, Spintex Junction, Nungua, Dodowa, Adenta, Amrahia, Tsopoli, Teshie Tsui Bleoo, Tema Motorway Roundabout, Mataheko and Mobole. A major concern raised in the petition is the need for clarity regarding the authority of personnel undertaking enforcement operations and the procedures governing the issuance of receipts and notices of fines. The Association said it wanted the Minerals Commission and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to explain their respective mandates and the legal basis for the activities being carried out in the affected areas. It indicated that although the Minerals Commission had reportedly distanced itself from some of the operations, documents, including receipts and notices…