TMA to fight Ramsar Site encroachment

Tema Aug. 2, GNA - The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has hinted on the Assembly's determination to halt Sakumo wetlands (Ramsar site) encroachment in Tema.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday, Mr. Frank Asante, informed that Ramsar Lands were special areas that were protected by United Nations Conventions which Ghana had signed up to.

'It is sad how people have built and continue to build right into the lagoon which is not good, and if care is not taken, we will be disgraced as a nation before the United Nations if we don't protect this God-given blessing,' he said.

He informed that Wetlands Management Regulations, LI 1659, 1999, stated that no one should erect structures in Ramsar sites because it would affect the ecology and drainage of the area and create problems for the community.

He added that 'This is why our Mayor says he will not allow things like this to go on. Where it has got to, it is not late to do something. We have to save the wetlands for future generations.'

In accordance, the Mayor of Tema had set up a body known as the Ramsar Restoration Committee (RRC) mandated to clear all unauthorized structures within the Ramsar sites.

The committee included the TMA, Tema Development Company (TDC), Tema Traditional Council, Game and Wildlife, Forestry Division, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Town and Country Planning (TCP) and Survey Department.

Mr. Asante said, 'This 'all hands on deck' approach would erase any possibility of failure with this crusade.'

He advised anybody who was currently developing any part of the site to stop because, 'If you continue, you will regret your actions. If you invest your money you will lose because we are going to take action to restore the wetland. The Assembly is determined in this fight otherwise future generations will say we did nothing to protect the environment when it reached our turn.'

He said the Sakumo lagoon served as a reservoir that collected water from the Aburi Mountains and released it gradually into the sea 'so when we build so close to the lagoon, it would not be able to hold the water again and would flood our homes.'

According to him, no individual would be able to influence the process 'because the President of the Republic is involved and we would submit a copy of the report to him.'

Ramsar sites in Tema included areas around the Sakumo Lagoon Stretching from Communities Three, Five, Six, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Sakumono Estate, parts of Klagon Community 18 and Lashibi.

GNA

By Alexander Nyarko Yeboah, GNA