Greater Accra REGSEC declares Ramsar sites security zones(Daily Graphic, Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Back Page)

The Ramsar sites located within the Tema Metropolitan, Tema West Municipal, Ablekuma West Municipal and the Weija-Gbawe Municipal assemblies have been declared security zones.

The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has consequently taken over the security of the Ramsar sites with immediate effect. A statement issued by the REGSEC yesterday said it had “noted with great concern the impunity with which some Ghanaians and foreigners were carelessly building in all Ramsar sites within the region, which was causing serious flooding, posing threats to the city and its dwellers.

It said the decision was taken at a REGSEC emergency meeting yesterday “in line with its mandate as stipulated in the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), which, among other things, indicates that REGSEC should take immediate steps to ensure law and order”.

The decision comes after it emerged that the once beautiful Sakumo Lagoon and Densu Delta (Weija) Ramsar sites are being encroached upon by developers, despite attempts by both the local government authorities and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to stop individuals and estate developers from using the lands for construction.

 

Defiance

Despite attempts by both the local government authorities and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to stop individuals and estate developers from using the  Sakumo Lagoon and Densu Delta (Weija) Ramsar sites for construction, developers continue to encroach upon the sites with impunity.

Daniel Titus-Glover (hands akimbo), Greater Accra Regional Minister designate, and some members of the REGSEC during the tour of the Sakumo Ramsar site

Encroachers, said to be influential persons with political clout, continue to encroach on the wetlands around the Sakumo Ramsar site despite the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), TDC Ghana Limited and the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) ordering developers to halt construction in the Ramsar site and to produce permits or face sanctions.

A similar defiant posture at the Weija Ramsar site has seen continuous construction works in the area, with the two situations compelling the Regional Minister designate, Daniel Titus-Glover, leading a team from the Greater Accra REGSEC on a tour of the Ramsar sites last Thursday and Friday.

 via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-greater-accra-regsec-declares-ramsar-sites-security-zones.html