Greater Accra REGSEC declares Nmai Djor-Trasacco enclave security zone - Stops local government accountability
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has declared an enclave within Borteyman, popularly known as Nmai Djor-Trasacco, a security zone and ordered the suspension of all development activities there.
The enclave is part of Borteyman and falls within the Adentan West Municipality.
REGSEC stated that the decision was part of measures to maintain peace, law and order.
The Regional Minister and Chairperson of REGSEC, Linda Akweley Ocloo, who announced this in Accra on Friday, explained that the measure was also part of a broader framework being implemented by REGSEC to ensure public safety, preserve law and order, following ongoing disputes over land ownership between traditional authorities and family interests in the area.
“This situation has the potential to escalate if not properly managed,” the REGSEC chairperson stated.
Developments suspended
Speaking at the press briefing yesterday, Mrs Ocloo said all developments within the Nmai Djor-Trasacco (Borteyman) enclave had been suspended with immediate effect, pending the final determination of the land ownership dispute by the courts.
She cautioned that any individual or entity that violated the directive and continued development activities in the enclave would be subject to enforcement actions, including the demolition of the structures.
The Regional Minister also led the Regional Coordinating Council to sign performance contract with metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the region.
The Chief Executives of the assemblies signed the performance contracts together with their Coordinating Directors.
The signing is to ensure strict performance of their mandates and to ensure accountability.
Security measures
The Regional Minister and Chairperson of REGSEC stressed that following the declaration of the enclave as a security zone, a joint police-military patrol team had been deployed to the area to maintain peace and ensure the safety of residents.
She stated that only security personnel authorised by REGSEC were permitted to operate within the enclave, adding that any unauthorised security presence would not be allowed.
She added that REGSEC would continue to monitor developments in the area closely and take additional measures where necessary to prevent any breach of the peace.
Market fire outbreaks
Mrs Ocloo expressed concern about the increasing number of fire outbreaks in markets across the region.
She said discussions by REGSEC identified the mixed use of market spaces, particularly the conversion of trading stalls into residential accommodation and other non-commercial uses, as a major factor contributing to the fires.
The Regional Minister said all MMDAs had been directed to intensify public education to inform traders and the public about fire safety and the dangers associated with inappropriate use of market spaces.
Deployment
Mrs Ocloo further stated that as part of efforts to improve emergency response, assemblies had been urged to provide designated spaces within markets for the permanent stationing of personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service.
She explained that the presence of fire fighters in markets would enable quicker response in the event of an outbreak and help reduce damage to property and loss of livelihoods.
The Regional Minister explained that the measure was intended to strengthen coordination between assemblies and the GNFS in addressing fire risks in densely populated market areas.
Mrs Ocloo added that she had directed three assemblies to repair all non-functioning streetlights along roads leading to the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the University of Ghana to improve safety.
Mrs Ocloo explained that the signing of performance contracts between MMDCEs and their Coordinating Directors was to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery at the local government level.
She explained that the system provided a framework for setting clear targets, guiding planning, implementation and assessing performance.
The REGSEC chairperson said the contracts were tools to guide daily administration, budgeting and monitoring throughout the year.
Monitoring, sanctions
Mrs Ocloo said the RCC would intensify its monitoring role to ensure that activities captured in the performance contracts were implemented and not merely documented.
She confirmed that the performance contract framework provided for sanctions against assemblies and officials who failed to comply with agreed targets and guidelines.
Demolition
On the demolition of structures along the Kpeshi Lagoon, she said follow-up activities would commence after the return of the Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who was currently out of the country.
Mrs Ocloo said the planned activities included the removal of debris from the site, greening of the area and subsequent dredging works.
She explained that the objective was to expand the lagoon to restore it to its natural state and create a buffer zone to allow water to settle during periods of heavy rainfall.
Permits, relocation
Responding to concerns about permits for those developing Borteyman lands, Mrs Ocloo said the affected developers had so far been unable to produce valid permits for the demolished structures.
She acknowledged that there had been instances elsewhere, including at the Sakumono Ramsar site, where assemblies had issued permits for developments on water courses.
However, she said no permits had been identified in respect of the demolished structures along the Kpeshi Lagoon.
