Farmers in Obom, Addo Kofi, Obakowa, Yahoman, and Agbozo—communities within the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region—are up in arms following the destruction of over 200 acres of farmland by illegal sand winners.
The affected farmers say the sand winning activities were carried out without court orders or compensation, wiping out their livelihoods overnight. Crops including cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, and plantain were allegedly cleared by the operators, leaving the communities on the brink of hunger.
During a protest in the area, the aggrieved farmers made a desperate appeal to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and former President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and halt the destruction.
Some of the farmers who spoke to Adom News warned that if authorities fail to act, they may be forced to arm themselves in self-defense.
The Mantse of Yahoman, Nii Yaaho, described the situation as dire and appealed to the Minister of Agriculture, the IGP, and President Mahama to act swiftly to protect the affected communities.
Also commenting on the issue, the Omankrado of Obom, Nii Addo Barima, called for military intervention. He alleged that the sand winners operate under the protection of heavily armed land guards, heightening tensions and fears among residents.
The farmers are demanding justice, compensation, and an immediate end to the sand winning activities threatening their survival.
Source: Seth Kofi Adjei
