Former Okaikwei North MP Honourable Fuseini Issah has raised concerns about the management of Ghana’s Ramsar sites.
He said Ghana committed to the Ramsar Convention in 1992 to protect vital wetlands.
He argued that political inconsistency has weakened long term protection of these ecological zones.
He added that successive ministers have carried out demolitions without solving the encroachment problem.
Recent enforcement operations led by Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewa Akweley Ocloo for three days.
The exercise targeted unauthorised structures within the protected enclave.
Honourable Issah said developers often return to rebuild shortly after demolitions are completed. He described the repeated rebuilding as deeply troubling.
He noted that many residents misunderstand the causes of flooding in Accra. He explained that blocked drainage paths force water to find its natural course.
The former MP also blamed corruption among land actors for worsening the crisis. He included traditional authorities and public officials in the group influencing land use decisions.
“But it is simply our inconsistency and the level of corruption there. Talking about La Nkwantanang itself, I am referring to traditional land actors, and I have not said ‘owners’. I am referring to land actors, which will include the traditional authorities, the assemblies, and all other land actors.”
Hon. Fuseini Issah
He criticised the Greater Accra Regional Minister’s suggestion that public officials could be transferred to the northern parts of the country as a form of punishment. He described the comment as inappropriate and offensive to people living in those regions.
Honourable Issah also questioned the overall competence of the leadership overseeing the Greater Accra Region.
He stressed that all citizens, regardless of where they live, deserve equal and decent living conditions.
He further suggested that some of the Minister’s responses and public remarks appeared inconsistent with the expectations of her office.
The Former Member of Parliament added that such comments raised concerns about her understanding of the responsibilities attached to her role.
He also recalled previous instances in which the Minister had come under criticism for earlier public statements.
According to him, she had in the past failed to fully account for controversial remarks, which he believes points to concerns about her performance in office.
Issah Questions Leadership Capacity In Greater Accra Administration
Fuseini Issah says the Greater Accra Ministry requires a more strategic leader. He argued that the role should not be treated as a political reward.
Honourable Issah has raised concerns about the vetting process of the Minister.
He noted that although the opportunity existed, Parliament did not proceed with the vetting as expected.
“When the President appointed her, we didn’t even get the opportunity to listen to her being vetted. We had the opportunity, but the House did not vet her. So we didn’t get the opportunity to hear her speak, right? She went to the vetting committee and there was some plea, something like she couldn’t talk or some flimsy excuse like that.”
Hon. Fuseini Issah
He further criticised the outcome of the process, describing it as a “clean bill” granted to a Minister of State.
He questioned how such approval was given when, in his view, many Ghanaians outside the vetting room were not satisfied with the process.
He explained that the Regional Minister heads the Regional Coordinating Council. He said the office coordinates security and health across twenty six districts.
He added that central government alone cannot manage all assemblies effectively.
Honourable Issah accused Honourable Linda Ocloo, the Regional Minister of Greater Accra of underestimating her administrative responsibilities.
He referenced her past remarks on school placements as evidence.
The Former MP recalled her advice that parents should seek extra tuition instead of worrying about school placement. He questioned her suitability for managing the capital region.
He urged the appointing authority to reconsider leadership at the regional level. He said key promises by her such as city lighting remain unfulfilled.
He rejected claims that his criticism targeted women in politics. He said many women in government perform effectively without controversy.
Honourable Issah stressed that his concerns focus strictly on performance and governance outcomes.
He pointed out that the ongoing Ramsar challenges signal failures in land administration. He called for consistent enforcement to protect remaining green spaces.
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