National Security arrests 15 for illegal sandwinning on Accra-Kumasi Expressway

National Security personnel in the Ashanti Region have apprehended 15 individuals for allegedly engaging in illegal sandwinning along the Sewua–Donyina–Appiadu section of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway project. During the targeted operation, security agents impounded six tipper trucks, a wheel loader, and other heavy machinery used for the unauthorized excavation of white sand. The suspects have since been transported to Accra for further questioning as authorities intensify efforts to protect the critical infrastructure project from environmental and structural damage.

The crackdown was triggered by reports and viral social media footage showing large-scale, illegal sand excavation occurring within the expressway's construction enclave. Bosomtwe District Chief Executive, Ing. Abdullah Hamidu, confirmed that the local assembly had been monitoring the situation and recently convened an emergency meeting with community leaders to address the encroachment. He noted that these illegal activities not only threaten the local ecosystem but also pose a significant risk to the integrity of the highway's foundation.

Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd) John Kwame Jabari, issued a stern warning to those involved in such activities, stating that the government will not tolerate any disruptions to the highway’s progress. According to Captain Jabari, security teams had been monitoring the corridor for approximately two weeks following reports of clandestine operations, many of which occurred at night. He emphasized that the expressway is a priority project and affirmed that anyone caught interfering with the site would face severe legal consequences.

To prevent a recurrence of these activities, the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) plans to maintain a heightened security presence and enhanced surveillance along the construction route. Authorities are currently working to identify and arrest other accomplices linked to the sandwinning ring. This enforcement action serves as a broader signal to illegal operators that the state remains committed to safeguarding public infrastructure and ensuring the timely completion of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway.