After several efforts by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Greater Accra
Regional Coordinating Council to settle grievances among parties over land encroachment, the
age-old impasse of the Sakumono Ramsar site is now on the verge of a peaceful settlement.
All stakeholders have agreed to allow the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to
demolish some 136 structures in the core area of the Sakumono Ramsar site.
Addressing the media following fruitful discussions on the matter, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, the
Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Lands and Forestry, stated
that the demolishing is a necessary evil that must be done for the greater good of all factions
and the entire country, as it would help maintain Ghana’s position as a signatory to the United
Nations Convention on protecting forests and Ramsar sites.
He emphasized that the 136 structures to be demolished are not livable residences, which he
defined as “unfinished constructions with no person living in them, fence walls, foundations,
caretakers’ quarters and similar items.”
He stated that to guarantee an inclusive exercise, representatives from traditional councils, the
encroachers and the Forestry Commission would be included in the demolition.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, expressed satisfaction and relief that a
decision had been reached after numerous years of strife over the issue.
He clarified that as the regulation process commences, only lands with completed houses
would be regularized not bare lands and therefore cautioned “those who will go and buy new
lands in the area with the idea that it will be regularized should take refrain from taking such
actions.”
