The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has undertaken a demolition exercise aimed at curbing flooding in and around the Tema and Sakumono areas.
The operation, carried out on Tuesday, May 27, in collaboration with the National Security and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), forms part of government efforts to reclaim protected wetlands that have been illegally encroached upon by private developers.
According to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Akweley Ocloo, the situation is deeply concerning and poses a significant flood risk if not urgently addressed.
She stressed that the demolition was necessary to restore the natural flow of water through the wetlands, reduce the likelihood of future flooding, and protect the ecological integrity of the area.
Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tema West, Ludwig Teye Totimeh, disclosed that no building permits had been issued for the structures that were pulled down.
He linked recent flooding in the municipality to the presence of these unauthorised developments and stressed the need to strictly enforce planning and zoning regulations.
Meanwhile, the MCE for Tema, Ebi Bright, expressed grave concern about the environmental impact of such illegal activities. She attributed the unauthorised construction on the Ramsar site to corruption and greed by individuals who misuse their access to power and resources.
About the Sakumo Ramsar site
The Sakumo Ramsar Site consists of a coastal brackish-saline lagoon and surrounding floodplains, freshwater marshes, coastal savannah grasslands with thicket vegetation, and a narrow dune linking them to the sea.
The Site is the third most important waterbird site on the Ghanaian coast and provides nesting and breeding habitat for several bird species; it supports over 70 species with an estimated 30,000 individuals regularly relying on its resources during their migration and breeding.
Notable birds include the spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) and common greenshank (Tringa nebularia), little stint (Calidris minuta) and black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus).
The Site is also home to important marine and freshwater fish species, including the blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron), which makes up about 97% of the fish population. Hundreds of local communities depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
The Site also provides flood control, storm regulation, water purification and salinity regulation. As an urban wetland, it is threatened by population growth, urbanization, pollution and developments such as agriculture and recreation.
