In a decisive move to protect Ghana’s environmental assets, the Tema Development Corporation Limited (TDC), in collaboration with the National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces, has launched a demolition operation at the Sakumono Ramsar site in the Greater Accra Region.

The exercise, aimed at reclaiming state lands and preserving the ecological integrity of the area, targeted illegal structures that had encroached on the protected wetland.

The operation, led by TDC’s Managing Director, Mr. Courage Nunekpeku, focused on recently erected unauthorised buildings that threaten the site's natural drainage system.

Mr. Nunekpeku emphasised the urgency of the exercise, particularly as the rainy season approaches, stressing that preserving the Ramsar site is critical for flood mitigation and environmental protection.

“This is about safeguarding lives, the environment, and state lands,” Mr. Nunekpeku said. “We cannot allow illegal developers to destroy a natural buffer zone that is crucial for water flow and biodiversity.”

He expressed disappointment at the speed with which developers were encroaching on the site, revealing that many of the structures were being constructed overnight to evade detection.

During the operation, a group of traditional leaders who had reportedly allocated parts of the land to private developers arrived to appeal for a halt to the demolitions.

They promised to engage TDC through official channels to explore peaceful and lawful resolutions.

Despite the appeals, the demolition continued, as the TDC maintained that the integrity of the Ramsar site could not be compromised.

The operation later moved to Community 10 in Tema, another area within the Ramsar buffer zone, where a developer identified only as “Big Sam” was caught filling the wetland with gravel and constructing apartment blocks.

An enraged Mr. Nunekpeku revealed that the developer had been repeatedly warned but continued with the illegal activity.

“This blatant disregard for the law is unacceptable,” he said. “We are sending a strong message today that such actions will not be tolerated.”

As part of the enforcement action, an illegally erected fence wall meant to block access to the wetland was torn down, serving as a stern warning to others engaged in similar acts.

TDC says it will continue to work with security agencies and environmental stakeholders to protect the Ramsar site from further encroachment and ensure compliance with land use regulations.