Member of Parliament for Tema Central, Charles Forson, has called on the government to adopt a more consultative and constructive approach to addressing encroachments on Ramsar sites, particularly within the Greater Accra Region.
His comments come in the wake of ongoing demolitions of structures sited on protected wetlands, including portions within his own constituency.
In an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday, August 5, Mr. Forson criticised the approach taken by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, insisting that demolition alone was not a sustainable solution.
He argued that instead of destroying already built properties, the government should re-engineer the area and explore ways to integrate existing structures into a well-planned urban development scheme.
The Tema Central MP maintained that while environmental protection is necessary, there must be a balanced approach that considers the investments and livelihoods of affected residents.
“The development has been done. The Minister ought to sit down with the developers. We need to regularise the lands. Take money from them. Let us develop the landscape. Let us develop the roads. Let us develop the drainage system. I believe that pulling the buildings down is not going to help because if you pull them down, what next?
“We need to re-engineer the whole place. If you go to some cities which are in lower-lying lands, they have developed them. Why do you go and pull so many houses down? The Minister and the government should consider the stand they have taken,” he stated.
Meanwhile, some residents whose buildings sit on portions of the Ramsar sites in Tema and Sakumono in the Greater Accra Region have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the ongoing demolitions in the area.
The petitioners contend that their lands were legally acquired from the Forestry Commission, with some claiming they have taken steps to preserve the environment rather than harm it.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, one of the affected residents, Jerry Narhyumu, stated that while they acknowledge the ecological significance of the area, they do not believe they have broken any laws.
Narhyumu also noted that the area is not flood-prone and that many residents have lived there since 2019 without incident. He called for continued dialogue under the new administration, stressing the need for policy continuity to find a lasting resolution.
Ramsar sites are internationally recognised wetlands protected for their environmental value. However, increasing encroachment in recent years has led to state-led demolitions aimed at preserving their ecological integrity.
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