Linda Ocloo vows demolitions at Tema, Sakumono Ramsar sites

Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo has announced that a major demolition operation will soon begin targeting illegal structures erected on the Sakumono Ramsar site and buildings obstructing waterways in Tema and nearby areas.

The initiative follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, issued last Thursday, aimed at tackling the recurring issue of urban flooding in Accra.

According to the Minister, the demolition exercise will be rolled out once the confirmation of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) nominees in the region is completed.

“This time, there will be no exceptions. We have all witnessed the consequences. If a building is on a waterway, it has to go,” she emphasised.

“On Thursday, I received a call from the Presidency instructing us to move to Sakumono and Tema to ensure that the illegal structures are pulled down. We will take action to ensure that those buildings are removed,” she added.

Meanwhile, land encroachment concerns continue to grow in other parts of Accra. Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, is urging assembly members to step up efforts in protecting critical areas like the Osu landing beach, which has seen an increase in illegal occupation.

Speaking during a tour of the constituency with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr. Rawlings called for greater collaboration to address the issue before it worsens.

“The work you do is not only about the ongoing projects, it is also about some of the real challenges that the people are complaining about. So, when the MCE sees it himself and you are planning how the resources are to be shared, these things will feature in the plans."

“As you can see, the assembly needs to be empowered more. This is because you have the mandate and there are task forces at the assembly, and we have to protect the land,” she stated.

“We have to deal with this issue so that we don't get to the point where we get to demolish people's homes when we can prevent it in the first place,” she said.

The demolition exercise is expected to be one of the region's most decisive actions yet in protecting flood-prone areas and restoring state lands under siege from encroachers.