The Harbour View Estate Residents Association has raised alarm over the ongoing demolition of structures at the Sakumo Ramsar Site, disclosing that more than 10.5 acres of land – equivalent to 40 residential plots – have been wiped out.
The group says the scale of destruction has unsettled homeowners and heightened questions about how the government intends to balance environmental preservation with the needs of urban development.
Chairman of the Association, Jonathan Boye-Doku, described the impact as significant and called for wider dialogue between the state, residents, and stakeholders before further action continues.
“The demolition of land at the Ramsar site impacted about 10.5 acres of properties. That is quite a lot. With Sakumono, we have two things at play: Sakumono as a Ramsar site and Sakumono as a government-acquired site. Which one are we fighting for? If it is Ramsar, then we must sit down and see the best way to solve the problem”
Jonathan Boye-Doku, Chairman of the Harbour View Estate Residents Association
The Chairman stressed that the Ramsar site was not created to halt development but rather to enable sustainable progress. He argued that the demolitions must not defeat the original ecological goals while undermining human settlement.
“We are not saying the government should abandon the project and leave us to do whatever we want,” he said, explaining that residents are not rejecting the government’s plans but are advocating solutions that allow both objectives to co-exist. “So that at the end of the day, it is a win-win for all of us,” he added.
“There are villages and towns within Ramsar zones across Ghana that haven’t faced demolition. Why only Sakumo?” Mr. Boye-Doku asked, further questioning the selective approach of the authorities. He argued that the most sustainable path forward was cooperation between residents and state agencies to define boundaries and responsibilities.
He urged the government to clearly demarcate what is permissible, what must be protected, and how residents can play a role in safeguarding the wetland.
Official Justification for Demolition Exercise
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) commenced the demolition exercise on Monday, August 4, 2025, pulling down unauthorised structures within the Sakumo Ramsar Site. The operation has extended to areas including Communities 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12.
Officials maintain that the demolitions are vital to curbing encroachment on the wetland, which they describe as an indispensable ecological buffer and a habitat for diverse wildlife.
The Ghana Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC) has not commented on the residents’ petitions but REGSEC insists the exercise is in line with the government’s commitment to safeguard protected areas.
Despite the justification, the demolitions have left homeowners in distress. The Residents Association has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to step in and halt the exercise until comprehensive consultations are held.
The petition, according to Mr. Boye-Doku, is not to obstruct environmental goals but to insist on proper technical engagement before irreversible damage is done to both lives and livelihoods. “We are engaging for a solution.”
After the Sakumo demolitions, Mr. Boye-Doku explained that discussions had been underway with the previous government to formalise permits for homes that fell outside the core ecological zone of the Ramsar site.
“We’re ready to invest in restoring Sakumo – if the government will meet us halfway,” he said, underscoring residents’ willingness and preparedness to commit resources to rehabilitate the wetland provided a clear and enforceable framework is agreed upon between state and community.
Throughout his appeals, Mr. Boye-Doku insisted that the matter should not be seen as an adversarial clash between state authorities and residents but as an opportunity for collaborative policy-making.
“What we are calling for is balanced urbanisation that must proceed in a way that does not negatively impact the environment”
Jonathan Boye-Doku, Chairman of the Harbour View Estate Residents Association
His message underscores the rising tension between Ghana’s rapid urbanisation and the preservation of fragile ecosystems, a challenge President Mahama’s administration will now have to address directly as the demolitions continue to unsettle affected communities in Sakumono and beyond.
