The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Ocloo, has declared a firm crackdown on illegal structures situated on waterways and protected lands, in an intensified move to tackle the perennial flooding problems plaguing the capital.
She announced that demolitions would soon begin at the Sakumono Ramsar site, Tema, and other surrounding areas where unauthorized developments have obstructed natural drainage systems and endangered both lives and property.
According to Minister Ocloo, this directive stems from a recent order by President John Dramani Mahama, who called for immediate measures to prevent the tragic consequences of urban flooding.
The demolitions, the minister noted, will begin once the confirmation process of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the region concludes.
“This time, there will be no exceptions. We have all witnessed the consequences. If a building is on a waterway, it has to go,” Ocloo stated emphatically, stressing the government’s resolve to enforce existing planning laws.
She further revealed that the Presidency had directly tasked her office to move swiftly in Sakumono and Tema to remove encroaching buildings and restore proper land use.
“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.”
Hon. Linda Ocloo
The issue of illegal structures choking water bodies and floodways has long been a concern in the capital, where encroachment and lax enforcement have worsened the effects of seasonal rains.
The destruction of wetlands like Sakumono Ramsar not only threatens biodiversity but also removes natural barriers that absorb excess rainwater. With these lands overtaken by concrete and asphalt, stormwater has no exit path, turning city streets into flood zones.
MP Champions Land Protection Amid Illegal Structures Crisis
Amid the growing spotlight on encroachment and the need for proactive planning, the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korley constituency, Hon. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, also joined the chorus for stricter oversight.
Touring her constituency alongside the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Rawlings urged assembly members to help stop the ongoing encroachment at the Osu landing beach, an area increasingly under threat from unregulated occupation.
Her comments came in response to complaints from local residents about individuals deliberately seizing portions of the beach, raising tensions in the community.
“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.”
Hon. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings
Accordingly, Hon. Rawlings stressed the importance of involving local representatives in identifying and addressing such land disputes.
She called for stronger institutional support to empower local assemblies, noting that their mandate includes land protection and environmental stewardship.
Hon. Rawlings emphasized the importance of foresight and coordination in preventing future demolitions, which often cause hardship for affected residents.
Her comments echo a broader call for proactive urban planning that can resolve illegal land occupation before it evolves into costly humanitarian and environmental crises.
For years, critics have accused city authorities of reacting to disasters rather than preventing them, often taking action only after loss of life or severe property damage.
This latest pledge from the Greater Accra Regional Minister signals a shift toward enforcement, but it also raises questions about how thoroughly local authorities will implement it.
Past demolition campaigns have often been met with public backlash, legal challenges, and accusations of selective justice, especially when politically connected developers are spared.
Still, both Ocloo and Rawlings appear aligned in their message: environmental abuse and unregulated development will no longer be tolerated.
With Accra’s rainy season underway, and flooding already impacting communities, residents are watching closely to see whether these tough words translate into lasting reforms—and safer neighborhoods.
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