Sand Winners Association condemns Asiyaw shooting, demands tougher punishment for illegal operators – Nsemkeka

Sand Winners Association condemns Asiyaw shooting, demands tougher punishment for illegal operators – Nsemkeka

The National Association of Sand, Stone Workers, and Tipper Users (NASSWOTU) has condemned the recent fatal shooting at Asiyaw in the Eastern Region, attributing the incident to illegal sand-winning activities.

Five people were killed on Monday, April 29, 2025, following a violent clash between two rival groups over land ownership—an altercation believed to have been triggered by unauthorised sand-winning operations.

Four suspects have since been arrested, put before the court, and remanded into custody.

Describing the development as unfortunate, NASSWOTU stressed that the individuals involved were not recognised members of the association and were found to be operating illegally.

At a congress held in Kasoa in the Central Region to elect new leaders, NASSWOTU National Chairman Samuel Amoah appealed to the government to deploy military personnel to assist the association in clamping down on illegal sand winners.

He emphasised the urgent need for stricter enforcement measures to prevent further violence and environmental degradation linked to unregulated activities in the sector.
Some association members also called on the government to streamline and expedite the process of acquiring the necessary operational documents, including mining leases from the Ministry of
Lands and Natural Resources, operating permits from the Minerals Commission, and environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They argue that delays in securing these licenses often compel individuals to resort to illegal operations.