By Emmanuella Owusu, GNA
Dawhenya, Nov. 03, GNA – The National Sand and Stone Tipper Truck Drivers Association and some sand-winning operators have appealed to the government to intervene in alleged harassment, rising sand prices and what they describe as attempts to monopolise operations in the sector.
The group said the alleged practices were disrupting businesses, increasing operational costs and threatening the livelihoods of drivers, contractors and other workers along the sand-winning
Alhaji Mohammed, also known as Kowa Naso, alleged that the increases were imposed without consultation with transport unions, creating financial difficulties for tipper truck drivers.
Speaking at a press conference, he said attempts by drivers to engage the sandpit operators over the price increases had not yielded results.
He further alleged that some political functionaries and individuals associated with local taskforces were intimidating drivers who attempted to load sand from alternative sites.
According to him, some drivers had been assaulted, while their mobile phones, money and truck keys were allegedly seized during confrontations.
“Whenever we go to the sand and stone miners’ pit to take raw material, they will come and harass us; they beat our boys; they take money, phones, anything they find in the truck; they take it,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said the situation was affecting the livelihoods of drivers and, therefore, called on the government to intervene to protect them.
He said a trip of sand was sold at about GH¢450 some years ago, despite prevailing fuel prices and exchange rate pressures, describing the current GH¢1,000 price as worrying.
The association warned that it could embark on nationwide demonstrations if its concerns were not addressed.
“We are many, and our vote is counting. Our vote can affect the party as well,” he said, urging the president to intervene.
Meanwhile, some operators in the sand and stone contracting industry have raised concerns about what they describe as attempts to monopolise sand-winning operations and sideline businesses holding valid permits.
Mr Patrice Jangma, popularly known as Abiola, speaking on behalf of the operators, said about 17 contracting firms had secured 2026 permits after meeting requirements set by the Minerals Investment Fund (MIF), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stool lands authorities and the Minerals Commission.
The operators, however, alleged that a single individual had been allowed to operate exclusively, creating an uneven operating environment for other permitted businesses.
They called for an independent investigation into the alleged monopoly, an end to harassment and property destruction, and protection for operators holding valid permits.
The operators also recounted an incident at an industrial zone near Kpone, where about 20 trucks and several heavy-duty machines were allegedly left stranded overnight by individuals claiming to be taskforce personnel.
They alleged that drivers were harassed, compelled to pay excessive fees for working “keys” and subjected to restrictions under the pretext of site inspections.
The group appealed to the government, the Minerals Commission and national security agencies to investigate the allegations, clarify the authority of the taskforces and ensure that all permitted operators could conduct their businesses without intimidation.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Emmanuella Owusu, GNA