National Security in Ashanti Region has arrested 15 men for digging sand on the new Accra-Kumasi Expressway project. The arrest happened on Wednesday, 14th October 2026, in the early morning at Sewua-Donyina-Appiadu in Bosomtwe District. The action came after a video went viral showing big machines digging white sand on the road and loading it into trucks to sell. Six trucks and some machines were seized. The suspects have been sent to Accra for further questioning.
The Assistant Liaison Officer, Ivan Bilson Yeboah, confirmed the arrest. He said what they did is a big damage to an important national project. The place had already been cleared by soldiers from the 4th Battalion for the road construction. The District Chief Executive for Bosomtwe, Ing. Abdullah Hamidu, also confirmed it. He said one opinion leader at Sewua-Ayoum gave the land to the sandwinners. The sandwinners said they have permit from Ejisu Assembly but could not show it. The Assembly has now called for an emergency meeting with chiefs and assembly members to stop the act.
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway is 198.7 kilometres long. It is one of government’s big road projects that will help reduce travel time between Accra and Kumasi. Soldiers have already cleared the road area and President John Dramani Mahama has said construction will start before Christmas this year. Officials say digging sand on the road creates big holes and makes the ground weak, and that can destroy the design of the $1 billion road. That is why security officers acted fast.
The Regional Security Coordinator, Captain Kwame Jabari (Rtd), said the arrests will not end there. He said intelligence shows over 200 trucks have been digging sand in the area and some big men are behind it. He said anyone involved, whether chief or politician, will be arrested based on what the suspects say. National Security and the military have now started joint patrols on the road to protect it.The Ashanti Regional Security Council is expected to meet today, Thursday 16th October, to plan how to keep watch on the road and stop such activities. National Security has warned the public to stop stealing state property meant for national development. They said anyone found guilty after investigations will face the full law to serve as a lesson to others.
