Farmers at Kokofu-Essiase in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region have accused some traditional authorities of aiding and abetting illegal sand winning activities that are destroying farmlands and threatening livelihoods in the community.
According to residents, several acres of fertile farmlands used for the cultivation of yam, plantain, and other staple crops have been completely ravaged by the activities of sand winners, who operate openly both day and night. The devastation, they lament, has rendered many farmers helpless as their only source of income and food production continues to dwindle.
Investigations by Newsmen revealed that some chiefs in the area allegedly release lands to the illegal operators, who are then protected by land guards. This has emboldened the perpetrators, allowing them to carry out their activities without fear of law enforcement or community resistance.
At a press conference, youth leader Mr. Samuel Agyei did not mince words in condemning the destruction. He accused sand winners of carrying out their activities with impunity, depriving farmers of their lands without offering any form of compensation.
“We are suffering because of the selfish interests of a few people. Our farmlands are being sold to sand winners, and crops that took years to cultivate have been destroyed within days. We cannot remain silent while our future is being stolen,” Mr. Agyei declared.
Several affected farmers also shared painful testimonies of their losses, describing how large portions of their yam and plantain farms had been leveled. They warned that if authorities fail to act, youth in the area may be forced to confront the sand winners themselves to protect their lands.
The farmers are therefore appealing to government, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Bekwai Municipal Assembly to urgently intervene to halt the menace. They stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of their livelihoods, and any further destruction of farmlands could have dire consequences on food security and poverty levels in the community.
The sand winning menace continues to pose a major challenge in many parts of the Ashanti Region. With chiefs in Kokofu-Essiase now being accused of complicity, residents believe only strong government action and community mobilization can bring lasting relief to farmers whose survival depends on the land.
