Hon. Ida Adwoa Asiedu, Member of Parliament for Ayensuano Constituency, has voiced strong concerns about the severe environmental and social costs of unregulated sand mining in her constituency and throughout Ghana.
She highlighted the extensive damage caused by illegal sand winning, including the loss of fertile farmlands, biodiversity depletion, pollution of water bodies, and the destruction of communities.
The MP cited a recent tragic incident in Ayensuano where two lives were lost and several others injured during a peaceful protest by farmers whose lands had been seized by illegal sand winners.
She emphasised the urgent need for stronger enforcement of mining regulations and the implementation of alternative livelihood programmes to reduce reliance on sand winning.
Hon. Asiedu called for an “all-hands-on-deck” approach, involving the Environmental Protection Agency, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, civil society organisations, and community leaders, to tackle this pressing issue. She also suggested investing in alternatives like “crushed rock”, which is utilised in other countries, and launching public education campaigns on the environmental and health risks associated with sand mining.
The MP warned that without immediate action, Ghana would be ill-prepared for the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and rising sea levels. This inaction, she noted, also risks derailing efforts toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13 on Climate Action.
She underscored that this issue extends beyond just the environment; it also profoundly impacts food security, public health, livelihoods, and the future of rural communities.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
