Michael S.D. Kodua, a former District Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and the 2012 parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ayensuano has vowed to address the illegal sand-winning menace in Ayensuano District if nominated as the District Chief Executive (DCE).
The Ayensuano District has been plagued by illegal sand-winning activities for decades, resulting in extensive farmland degradation and numerous violent clashes between farmers and armed land guards protecting the sand winners.
The most recent incident occurred on January 16, 2025, in Kraboa, where two individuals died and several others sustained gunshot injuries during a confrontation between farmers and land guards.
Speaking to the media after submitting his nomination form, Kodua emphasized the grave security, environmental, and food security implications of sand-winning activities in the area.
He also acknowledged the impact on residents’ livelihoods and pledged to take both short-term and long-term action.
S. D Kodua outlined a plan to introduce technological solutions through public-private partnerships to mine the district’s abundant rock deposits and convert them into crushed stone sand, providing an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional sand mining practices.
“Natural resources are made to be exploited but good practices must be in place. Ayensuano here they win sand without any proper measures. So should I get the nod I will make sure proper measures should be implemented to curb that menace”, he said.
Additionally, he assured to introduce “block farming” method to the district where the assembly will plough the lands and provided the necessary infrastructure and support to farmers to cultivate crops in commercial quantities.
Supporters and some assembly members have expressed confidence in Kodua’s vision and leadership, describing him as the ideal candidate to lead the Ayensuano District towards sustainable development.
