The Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro constituency in Accra, Sylvester Tetteh has called for investigations into illegal sand winning activities in the area.

This follows the drowning of three children in a pit believed to have been created by illegal sand-winning activities at Akwasa Hills near Tuba in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The children were reportedly riding their bicycles when they fell into the pit.

Mr. Tetteh said the investigation will trigger immediate action from the government and key stakeholders to address illegal sand winning activities.

“I am inviting the National Security, the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Department of Urban Roads to probe this matter. I think national efforts are required to save the lives of residents.”

Giving a vivid description of the extent of damage due to illegal sand winning activities, Mr. Tetteh said: “This is a national disaster. They have dug deep into the mountain, and it is hanging. A landslide will occur, and it will affect residents.”

The Ga South Municipal Assembly banned sand winning activities two years ago, but the effects of the illegal activity are still evident, especially during the rainy season.

Amid this incident, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has disclosed that more than twenty people have died after they either drowned or were trapped in mining pits in some areas in the Ashanti Region.

The incidents according to officials of NADMO were recorded between 2019 and 2021 in mining areas.

NADMO is blaming the deaths on the activities of illegal miners who have left most pits uncovered after mining in these areas.