The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has announced that all unauthorized buildings on the protected Tema Ramsar Site will be demolished starting Monday, August 4, 2025.
The exercise will affect key encroached areas including Communities 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the rapid encroachment on the wetland, a legally protected area critical for flood control, water purification, and the preservation of wildlife habitats.
The Tema Ramsar Site is one of Ghana’s designated wetlands under the international Ramsar Convention.
During an unannounced inspection earlier this week, Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo expressed shock at the scale of illegal development within the site.
“This is a protected area, and we cannot allow private developers or individuals to compromise its long-term environmental value,” she said.
Minister Ocloo described the situation as a “serious threat to the ecological integrity” of the reserve and pledged swift action to curb further degradation. She also issued a strong warning to individuals engaged in the unlawful sale of land within the wetland, urging them to cease all activity immediately.
“The government will not tolerate the commercialization of protected lands and will take legal action where necessary,” she emphasized.
Residents and occupants of affected buildings have been advised to vacate the area and remove all personal belongings before the demolition begins to avoid loss or damage to property.
The exercise forms part of a wider initiative by REGSEC and the Regional Coordinating Council to reclaim and preserve environmentally sensitive zones across the Greater Accra Region.
