Operators Flee as Minerals Commission, NAIMOS Intensify Crackdown on Illegal Sand-Winning at Ada
By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada | July 14,2026
The Minerals Commission, in collaboration with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), has intensified efforts to combat illegal sand-winning and quarrying activities, following an enforcement operation at Tsopoli in the Ada community where suspected operators abandoned their site before officials arrived.
The operation forms part of a broader nationwide campaign aimed at enforcing compliance with Ghana’s mining regulations and addressing the growing environmental damage caused by unlicensed extraction of sand and quarry materials.
During the inspection, officials discovered what preliminary investigations indicated was an active sand-winning site operating without the legally required licence.
Speaking to journalists during the exercise, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission in charge of Small-Scale Mining and Industrial Minerals, Maxwell Klu, said available evidence suggested the operators had failed to obtain the necessary authorisation before commencing their activities.
According to him, officials found no documentation or evidence indicating that the operation had been licensed by the Commission.
“So, everything shows that whatever they are doing, they are not licensed,” Mr Klu stated.
He further revealed that individuals present at the location were unable to identify the owner of the operation. One worker reportedly attempted to contact the alleged operator by telephone during the inspection, but the call was abruptly terminated, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the enterprise.
Mr Klu noted that illegal sand-winning activities have become increasingly brazen, with operators now carrying out excavations openly during daylight hours rather than under the cover of darkness.
“And today, it is not under the cover of darkness. In broad daylight, they just enter a place, and then they are cutting sand,” he remarked.
He stressed that irrespective of whether the extracted sand was intended for private or public projects, every operator is legally required to secure the appropriate licence before beginning work.
According to the Minerals Commission, licensed operators must also fulfil all statutory obligations, including payment of mineral rights fees, ground rents and other regulatory charges prescribed under Ghana’s mining laws.
Mr Klu acknowledged that illegal sand-winning remains a persistent challenge across several parts of the country but assured the public that the Commission is strengthening collaboration with NAIMOS to curb the practice.
As part of the investigation, officials recorded the GPS coordinates of the site to facilitate further enforcement actions and possible prosecution of those responsible.
When asked about the excavator and other heavy equipment abandoned at the location, Mr Klu explained that the Minerals Commission would consult with NAIMOS before determining the appropriate legal action regarding the machinery.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to enforcing Ghana’s mining laws while protecting the environment from the harmful effects of illegal resource extraction, including land degradation, erosion and the destruction of ecosystems.
Commentary | Boakye Stephen
Illegal sand-winning has become an increasingly serious environmental concern in Ghana, contributing to land degradation, coastal erosion and the destruction of natural habitats. Sustained enforcement, stronger community participation and stricter prosecution of offenders will be essential if authorities are to discourage illegal operators and protect the country’s natural resources.
