Agricultural expert Yahaya Abdul-Razak has called on the government and relevant stakeholders to take decisive action against illegal sand-winning activities on smallholder farmlands in rural communities.  

He said while public discourse had largely focused on illegal mining (galamsey), sand winning and stone quarrying had also become equally destructive practices that required urgent attention “before they get out of hand.”  

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview, Abdul-Razak warned that the country’s food security was at risk if smallholder farmlands continued to be destroyed without strict enforcement measures.  

“If the government says we must produce our own food to feed the nation, then it must also take firm action against sand winning. If rural farmers lose their sources of livelihood, how can they produce and feed themselves?” he asked.  

He noted that in communities where agriculture was the backbone of survival, sand winning resulted not only in income loss but also in the destruction of prospects.  

“We must pay attention to this issue because it leads to the long-term loss of arable lands. If this continues unchecked, it may become as difficult to stop as galamsey,” he added.  

Mr Abdul-Razak urged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, the Environmental Protection Authority, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to act swiftly to curb the menace.