…For Destroying Beach Resort and Housing Project Land
hree landguards who are illegal sand winners allegedly undertook sand-winning operations without a license at Bernganor located at Old Ningo of the Ningo Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region, have been arrested and arraigned before the law court at Gbetsile in Kpone-Katamanso District.
The three persons together with a military officer from Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) who donned military-patterned uniform were arrested on Thursday October 3,2024 on the land belonging to Seamless International Limited/ Comet Properties Limited.
Their arrest on Thursday October 3,2024 followed a tipoff about the ongoing illegalities on the land of Seamless International Limited/Comet Properties Limited at Old Ningo-Bernganor.
The video intercepted also confirmed how the suspects including a military officer were arrested and packed in the vehicle at illegal sand winning site at Ningo-Bernganor by the police officers.
Shockingly, further investigations revealed that the military officer who was arrested was hired by illegal sand winning contractor to provide security for the land-guards/winners.
The milliary man was protecting human security for these individuals to engage in illegal sand winning activities which are posing a serious threat to the ongoing Atlantic Beachfront Resorts and Residential Master-Planned City, commonly known as the Comet Marina.
This news outlet was reliably informed that this exercise will continue with the culprits prosecuted to serve as deterrence to others.
The four arrested were arranged before the court on Friday October 4, 2024 but since the court could not sit, they were remanded in police custody to reappear before the court on Monday October 7, 2024.
The accused persons have been charged with causing unlawful damage and mining without a license.
Meanwhile, Akua Afriyie, who speaks for the developer, Seamless International Limited/Comet Properties Limited lamented that the illegal sand mining is threatening the Prampram beach front housing project where a developer is constructing the Atlantic Beachfront Resorts and Residential Master-Planned City.
According to the developer, the future of the project is at risk if the ongoing “illegal” sand mining in the area continues.
Akua Afriyie said the project, which is an addition to Ghana’s upscale real estate market, was facing significant disruptions as a result of the illegal sand mining activities in the area.
Akua Afriyie highlighted the environmental damage caused by the mining, including excavation to depths of 10 to 20 feet across approximately 21 acres.
He indicated that the total cost of waste and destruction to the environment will be GH 55 million before the developers can fully reclaim their land.
“The unauthorised sand mining has reportedly been taking place under the cover of darkness,” she added.
Madam Afriyie warned of potential severe erosion, long-term ecological damage, and safety risks to the 400-acre project site, which is planned to feature sea-front hotels, apartments, restaurants, and a gated community with lagoons and rivers.
The company has therefore called for enhanced security measures and urgent intervention from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
