The National Security in the Ashanti Region has arrested 15 men suspected of engaging in sandwinning activities along the Kumasi–Accra Expressway project.
The suspects were apprehended during a security swoop in the Sewua–Donyina–Appiadu enclave on Wednesday, October 14, following concerns over the excavation and removal of sand from the expressway corridor.
Six vehicles, including trucks and a wheel loader, were also impounded during the operation.
Assistant Liaison Officer, Ivan Bilson Yeboah, said the suspects had been transported to the National Security headquarters in Accra for further investigations.
“They are on their way to Accra for our officers at the headquarters to carry out further investigations,” he said.
The arrests follow the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing individuals excavating and removing white sand from the expressway corridor for commercial purposes.
The activities have raised concerns about possible damage to the road project’s right-of-way, which is essential to the planned infrastructure.
Mr Yeboah condemned the practice, describing it as unacceptable and warning that such activities could undermine national development efforts.
“We have seen considerable damage being done to the road. It’s bad that resources of the state will be channelled to such a beautiful national activity, but people who want to loot and do whatever they did. This is unacceptable,” he said.
He added that the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) was expected to meet on Thursday to consider measures to strengthen surveillance and prevent further excavation along the stretch.
“REGSEC will be meeting on Thursday to look at how to sustain surveillance on the stretch to nip some of these activities in the bud,” he said.
Meanwhile, security personnel are intensifying efforts to track down other suspects who remain at large.
Bosomtwe District Chief Executive, Ing. Abdullah Hamidu, told JoyNews that preliminary investigations by the Assembly suggested that the sand winners had claimed to possess authorisation from the Ejisu Municipal Assembly to undertake the excavation.
However, the suspects reportedly failed to produce a copy of the alleged permit.
“When they were directed to my office, they told me they had obtained a permit from Ejisu, but they could not provide a copy. I ordered them to stop the operation and referred the matter to the police for further investigations,” he said.
The arrests form part of efforts to clamp down on activities that could compromise the integrity of the Kumasi–Accra Expressway project.
