Government orders demolition of structures fueling Accra floods

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, announced upcoming demolitions. Unauthorized structures on the Sakumono Ramsar site will be targeted. Buildings on waterways in Tema and nearby areas will also be affected.

This decision follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama last Thursday. It aims to address the ongoing flooding issues in Accra.

During a media briefing, Minister Ocloo said demolitions will start after new Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are confirmed. She stated, “This time, there will be no exceptions.” She emphasized that any building on a waterway must be removed.

Ocloo received direct instructions from the Presidency for urgent action in Sakumono and Tema. “I got a call from the Presidency instructing us to pull down illegal structures,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korley, called for better collaboration among assembly members. She wants to curb land encroachment at key sites like Osu landing beach.

During her constituency tour with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Dr. Rawlings urged local authorities to take residents' complaints seriously. She stressed the need to protect public lands before problems escalate.

“The work you do is not just about ongoing projects,” she noted. “You have the mandate and task forces at the assembly; we must protect the land.”

She also highlighted the importance of proactive measures to prevent forced evictions in the future. “We need to address this issue before it leads to demolitions,” she said.

These announcements come as public pressure grows for decisive action against unplanned development. Such developments contribute to urban flooding and environmental degradation.