More structures demolished at Ramsar site
Demolition of unauthorised structures at the Ramsar Buffer Zone in Tema continued last Tuesday with five uncompleted buildings being pulled down.
The exercise is part of the government's efforts to reclaim encroached wetlands and reduce perennial flooding in the region.
The demolition was done by a joint team from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
The renewed operation followed a similar exercise two months ago at Sakumono, where several unauthorised structures on the Ramsar site were demolished. This development sparked public reaction and called for more humane engagement with affected residents.
Justification
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, stated that the exercise was part of a broader government strategy to reduce flooding and enforce environmental regulations.
“This is a flagship programme. It is for the good of Ghana. We are overlooking individual interests and focusing on the welfare of most citizens,” she said.
The minister dismissed claims that resistance from some residents meant the operation had failed, emphasising that the work was carried out as scheduled.
For his part, the Director-General of NADMO, Major (retd) Dr Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, said, “We had identified buildings for demolition today, and we brought them down. So, yes, the day was successful. Only one excavator was available. We didn’t want to overwork it”.
Dr Kuyon added that the demolition exercise started two months ago and was briefly halted due to official travels but has since resumed with renewed commitment.
Concerns
However, the Sakumono Jorshie Mantse, Nii Bortey Gbormorgor, voiced concern about how the demolitions were being executed and called for a more human-centred approach to resolving land and settlement disputes.
“They said they are removing people from the streets, but the same people are now being forced back onto the streets because their homes have been destroyed,” he said.
Nii Bortey said many affected residents had lived in the area for years and acquired the land through legitimate means, only to have their homes demolished without proper consultation or provision of alternative shelter.
Nii Bortey stated that authorities had previously marked buffer zone structures and warned residents not to construct beyond specified boundaries.
He, however, claimed that the exercise had extended into areas where land had been leased and legally developed years ago.
