Blue Skies Ltd Urges Government Crackdown on Illegal Sand Winning Threatening Agribusiness-Ghana

Anthony Pile, the founder of Blue Skies Ltd, a leading agribusiness exporter in Ghana, has called on the government to take urgent action against illegal sand winning. He warned that the practice poses a serious threat to the country’s food security and agribusiness sustainability. Highlighting the ongoing destruction of valuable farmland, Pile emphasized that the uncontrolled activity undermines decades of agricultural investment and progress.

Blue Skies has reportedly lost over 100 acres of cultivated pineapple farmland due to illegal sand extraction. The land in question has been in use for more than 20 years and plays a crucial role in the company’s production of fresh fruit juices and export goods. The company’s operations have been heavily affected, as the damaged land formed a key component of its 480-acre pineapple plantation.

According to Alistair Djimatey, Head of Corporate Affairs at Blue Skies, the sand winning has intensified over time without significant intervention from authorities. He expressed concern that the resulting destruction has severely suppressed the pineapple industry and could have long-term consequences for agricultural productivity in Ghana if left unaddressed.

Illegal sand winning is largely driven by high demand from the construction sector, but its expansion into agricultural zones is proving devastating. Besides causing environmental degradation, the practice is hampering national goals related to food production, land sustainability, and economic growth within the agribusiness sector.

Pile is calling for stricter enforcement of land use and environmental regulations, and the establishment of zoning laws that would protect farmland from encroachment. He also urged that those caught stealing sand without authorization face serious consequences, including imprisonment. His appeal extends to civil society organizations, stressing the need for collaborative action to preserve Ghana’s agricultural future.

Source: Citi newsroom