Sand contractors seek regulatory clarity over enforcement operations at Dawa

The Sand and Stone Contractors Association of Ghana has urged state authorities to clarify the regulations governing sand-winning and transportation activities at Dawa and nearby areas. The Association expressed frustration over ambiguous enforcement procedures, documentation requirements and fines, which hindered sand winners and tipper truck operators.

In a signed petition, they sought assistance from several government bodies, including the Minerals Commission, Ghana Military Police, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Tema Regional Police Command and the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram. The main issues highlighted in the petition pertain to the clarity of authority for enforcement personnel and the procedures for issuing receipts and fines.

They requested that the Minerals Commission and National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat explain their roles and legal justifications for the activities taking place in the affected areas. The Association noted that while the Minerals Commission had distanced itself from certain operations, fines and receipts were still issued to operators.

They attached a receipt to their petition for verification and demanded an official explanation regarding its issuance. Concerns were also raised about the transportation of sand, specifically the difficulties in distinguishing valid waybills from fraudulent ones. Tipper truck drivers often lack the expertise or authorization to assess the operational documents of sand winners.

To address this, the Association proposed a formal education program aimed at sand winners, tipper truck operators, and Minerals Commission officials to clarify documentation standards and regulatory responsibilities. They also advocated for an urgent meeting involving the Association, affected operators, the Minerals Commission, NAIMOS, and security agencies to discuss outstanding concerns, clarify institutional roles, and establish procedures for regulating sand-winning and transportation activities.

Additionally, the Association called for the protection of operators engaged in lawful sand-winning activities and promised that any complaints related to misconduct during enforcement operations would be addressed through proper legal channels. The Association expressed concern about mounting frustration among its members, warning that unresolved issues could lead to confrontations or demonstrations.

They emphasized their commitment to resolving the matter through lawful means and emphasized the need for clear communication, public education and stakeholder engagement to ensure that regulations are properly understood and implemented.