Lower Volta sand winners fear losing their livelihoods after a military operation allegedly destroyed more than 15 dredging and changfan machines.
The Lower Volta Association of Small-Scale Miners and Farmers has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene.
It wants regulated concessions allocated to its members to enable them to operate legally.
The Association made the appeal during a media engagement at Volivo, near Asutsuare, in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region.
Journalists later travelled through Aveyime to Battor in the North Tongu District to inspect equipment reportedly destroyed during the operation.
Mr Godwin Ogah Awudi, Founder and Spokesperson of the Association, said members had operated along the Lower Volta for more than 20 years.
He said the Association had engaged institutions responsible for regulating their activities.
They included the Volta River Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Water Resources Commission and Minerals Commission.
Mr Awudi noted that the Association had also met security officials from the Office of the President to explain its operations.
According to him, the discussions focused on measures to bring the operators under proper regulation.
He said members were directed to operate at least 20 metres from the riverbank and prevent oil spills into the water.
They were also required to clear aquatic weeds to improve water flow towards the sea during a spillage, he added.
Mr Awudi alleged that military personnel later entered Tefle, Mepe, Battor and other communities while the discussions were ongoing.
He claimed the personnel destroyed or sank more than 15 dredging and changfan machines without the knowledge of officials involved in the talks.
Each machine supported the livelihoods of more than 30 people, he stated.
Mr Awudi estimated the Association’s membership across the Lower Volta at about 3,500.
He warned that the destruction could force some affected workers back into illegal mining in forest reserves.
Some members previously engaged in illegal mining but joined the Association to pursue more controlled sand-winning activities, he explained.
The Association called for regulated concessions and a joint task force to supervise operations along the river.
It proposed that the task force should include the EPA, VRA, National Security, Minerals Commission and Water Resources Commission.
Mr Awudi said the arrangement would enable operators to obtain permits, pay taxes and levies, and follow environmental and mining regulations.
He also alleged that foreign operators were receiving opportunities while local communities depending on the river were being marginalised.
Madam Dunyo Yayra, a sand winner and single mother, said the loss of her equipment threatened her ability to support her children.
Mr Ezekiel Kpeli, another affected operator, alleged that his changfan machine was burnt after being removed from the water.
The Association reaffirmed its readiness to work with the authorities to regularise its members’ activities.
It said proper regulation could protect the Volta River while preserving the livelihoods of communities along its banks.
GNA
