Residents of Abokyikrom, a farming community in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region, are raising concerns over the invasion of their farmlands by illegal sand winners.
According to the residents, the sand winners have encroached on their lands without consent, destroying vital crops such as cassava, maize, cocoa, and palm plantations.
  
They say the widespread destruction has led to a sharp drop in crop yields, heightening fears of food insecurity in the area.
Some frustrated farmers are threatening to defend their lands by any means necessary if authorities fail to intervene swiftly. Others have warned of potential armed resistance should the sand winning activities continue unchecked.
Assembly Member for the area, Solomon Nkansah, is also calling for urgent government action.
He appealed to the municipal authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency to step in and halt the operations before the situation escalates.
Residents are urging government and local leaders to step up enforcement and protect their livelihoods before the situation degenerates into a full-blown crisis.
