By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Aug 28, GNA – The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has warned that the rampant, reckless illegal sand mining along the coastal stretch in the Gomoa East District was a ticking time bomb, threatening to unleash devastating consequences if left unchecked.
According to NADMO, the illegal practice had accelerated coastal erosion, undermined the stability of the shoreline and put local communities at increased risk of flooding and land degradation.
Additionally, the destruction of natural habitats along the coast was causing significant harm to marine biodiversity and could disrupt the livelihoods of fishermen who depend on the sea for their income
Consequently, NADMO has issued an urgent call to all stakeholders, particularly traditional leaders in Gomoa East, to unite in halting illegal sand mining activities.
Mr Kwesi Dawood, the Central Regional NADMO Director made the appeal when his outfit and the Goats East Assembly visited some illegal beach sand mining devastated areas in the district.
Overwhelmed by the vast and dangerous devastation in the area, particularly at Gomoa Fete, Central Regional Director, expressed serious concern over the environmental destruction caused by individuals driven by selfish interests.
He wondered the conscience of the unscrupulous illegal miners, operating under cover of darkness, aggressively winning a naturally formed hilly beach sand at Gomoa Fete.
Their activities had shrunk the protective coastal barrier to just a few meters, leaving the shoreline exposed to tidal flooding.
He warned that the situation had become a “ticking time bomb,” putting communities in Millennium City, Yesukrom, and Nyanyano at imminent risk of tidal flooding and land degradation.
Mr Dawood emphasised that the rampant destruction of coastal sands was not only an environmental problem but a crisis threatening the very livelihoods of coastal communities.
“Millennium City, Yesukrom, and Nyanyano are on the front line of this looming disaster. We must act decisively and collectively to restore and protect our coastlines before the sea claims what has been lost to greed and neglect,” he stated.
Calling on all residents to support efforts against illegal sand winning, Mr Dawood urged chiefs to leverage their influence in educating their communities about the dangers of that practice and to collaborate with NADMO and other authorities to enforce regulations rigorously.
“We need a united front to safeguard our environment for current and future generations. Let us work together to preserve our land and resources,” he added.
Backing NADMO’s appeal, Ms Margaret Naana Ackom, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, reaffirmed the district assembly’s commitment to end illegal sand winning.
She warned that anyone caught engaging in unauthorised sand winning would face the consequences regardless of their political connections.
Ms Ackom urged those involved in sand winning to obtain proper permits from relevant authorities to ensure their operations complied with the law.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/George-Ramsey Benamba