Prosecute illegal sand winners at beaches – Police urged

The Police Administration has been called upon to step up its efforts to arrest and prosecute illegal sand winners at the various beaches, to ensure safe environments.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the destruction of the beaches was alarming, and everything possible should be made to protect them.

Mr Peter Nana Ackon, Senior Officer of the Central Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency, made this known at a forum at Senya Bereku.

It was organized by the Save Our Beaches Ghana, a Winneba-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).

Mr Ackon said the Ghana Police Service owns it a duty to assist the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to bring those destroying the beaches to book.

He also called on the Environmental and Sanitation Departments of the various Assemblies in the coastal areas, to intensify their activities to halt people who defecate at the beaches with impunity.

Mr Ackon regretted that Europe and other foreign countries were maximizing huge profits from beaches due to proper preservation, but not Ghana.

The Senior EPA Official, therefore, urged government to place ban on the importation of “take away” black and plain rubber bags into the country.

Mr Kakrah Ghunney, Executive Director of the NGO, chastised government appointees for doing very little to protect beaches in Ghana.

He urged the Media to help disseminate information about the need to keep safe beaches.

Mr Paa Kwesi Wilson, Executive Secretary of Save Our Beaches Ghana, said the government alone cannot shoulder the burden of developing the nation, and needs collaboration from NGOs.

He called on corporate bodies, financial institutions, and well-to-do Ghanaians, to join the crusade to save the beaches from destruction.