By Laudia Sawer
Tema, May 28, GNA – Madam Linda Obenewaa Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, has led a multi-sectoral task force to demolish unauthorised structures erected within the Sakomo Ramsar site’s catchment area.
The team were drawn from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA), TDC Ghana Limited, Forestry Commission, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
The exercise, which saw the pulling down of structures at various levels of completion, had heavy security from the police and military to ensure that developers and land guards did not attack the team, as done previously whenever a demolition exercise is carried out.
Madam Ocloo said the exercise was in direct response to a directive from President John Dramani Mahama to protect key ecological zones and reduce the risk of flooding in the capital.
She expressed worry at the blatant disregard for cautions against building in the Ramsar, stressing that recalcitrant individuals will face the full force of the law.
She said, “Sometimes I don’t blame them, but the people who sat down unconcerned to allow this to happen – the planners and engineers – what work are they doing at the assemblies? The structure is a huge investment. If we allow this to continue, what are we saying to the people?”
The minister noted that the exercise was successful, giving the assurance that the exercise would continue to ensure that the targeted buildings are brought down.
She said the exercise would be scaled up to other parts of the Greater Accra Region to clear waterways and prevent flooding, especially in the rainy season.
Mr Thomas Acquah, the site manager, said 8.23 hectares, forming about 52 per cent of the total land size within the 13.6 square kilometres of the Sakumo Ramsar site, have been encroached upon.
Mr Acquah added that all the structures being pulled down fall within the core zone of the Ramsar and therefore need to be cleared.
He further said that the Forestry Commission would first take care of the debris and prepare the ground for planting: “This year Green Ghana is onboard, so we can easily zoom in and plant.”
Major (Rtd) Dr Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, the Director General of NADMO, said some repercussions come with the encroachment of the Sakumo Ramsar site, adding that when it rains, the water will not find its way into where it’s supposed to be.
He indicated that the water, which would not be able to pass through the Ramsar site into the sea, would enter people’s homes and destroy lives, stating that “we want to ensure that we can prevent flooding in Accra and that places that are supposed to be cleared for free flow are cleared.”
One of the developers questioned the rationale behind the demolition, stating, “I think they are looking for a scapegoat. In Ghana, we always have knee-jerk solutions. There has been flooding, so they want to be seen as working.”
“I don’t think it’s because of us; it’s a systemic issue that must be addressed. Where does pulling down my structure feed into the general aspects of sanitation? After this, what’s next? Will the government build storm drains? I saw buildings flooded at Ashaley Botwe; a lot of places got flooded, so I don’t know how this place can be the cause of flooding in Accra. We always look for easier targets,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade