The Harbour View Estate Residents Association has revealed that the ongoing demolition exercise at the Sakumo Ramsar Site has destroyed more than 10.5 acres of land, amounting to 40 residential plots, sparking widespread concern among affected homeowners and raising fresh questions about how the government intends to balance ecological protection with the needs of urban development.
Chairman of the Association, Jonathan Boye-Doku, speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Show on Friday, August 22, described the impact as significant and called for broader consultation with residents and stakeholders.
He urged the government to adopt a balanced approach that preserves both ecological integrity and human settlement.
“The demolition of land at the Ramsar site impacted about 10.5 acres of properties, that is 40 plots. That is quite a lot. With Sakumono, we have two things at play: Sakumono as a Ramsar site and Sakumono as a government-acquired site. Which one are we fighting for? If it is Ramsar, then we must sit down and see the best way to solve the problem,” Mr. Boye-Doku noted.
He emphasised that the Ramsar site was originally meant for sustainable development, and any approach must avoid undermining its primary purpose. According to him, residents are not opposed to the government’s project but are advocating a “win-win solution” where urbanisation can progress without eroding the ecological balance of the wetland.
“We are not saying government should abandon the project and leave us to do whatever we want,” he clarified. “We are looking at balancing urbanisation and ecological effect so that at the end of the day, it is a win-win for all of us.”
The demolition exercise, led by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), began on Monday, August 4, 2025. It targets unauthorised structures erected within the protected Sakumo Ramsar Site and covers areas including Communities 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12.
Authorities argue that the exercise is necessary to curb encroachment on the wetland, which serves as a vital ecological buffer and habitat for diverse wildlife.
However, residents insist that solutions must be guided by technical consultations to preserve the original purpose of the Ramsar site, adding that they have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the ongoing demolitions in the area.
