President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to persons encroaching Ramsar and other unauthorised sites in the country to desist from it.
He says government is going to strictly enforce the laws and will not spare any individual or entity that will fall foul to the law.
Speaking at the 2025 National Eid-ul-Fitr celebration at the Black Star Square in Accra Monday, March 31, 2025, the President vowed to take action against those putting up structures in such unapproved areas including wetlands, waterways, and Ramsar sites.
He underscored the need to address the land encroachment menace which is spiraling out of control, contributing to the persistent flooding and environmental degradation in the country.
Expressing concern over the lack of concern for urban planning regulations which he said has worsened the annual flooding crisis in several parts of the country, he reemphasised that all structures blocking waterways would be demolished without any exception.
The President further stated that those persons who collude with some chiefs to develop such unauthorised areas would not be spared.
“I must address a deeply troubling issue. The illegal construction of buildings in waterways causing flooding and extensive destructions of property. As we know, the rains are about to start and already, we are seeing flooding because people have built and blocked the rivers and so they have nowhere to go but to backup.
“This reckless disregard for planning regulations and environmental safety is a major contributor to the devastating floods that continue to plague our communities. I am aware of instances where private individuals collude with some chiefs to convert Ramsar sites into built up zones. Let me be clear, this must stop.
“Those structures will be pulled down and we will not allow a few selfish individuals to endanger the lives and livelihoods of countless others. The law will be enforced, and those who flout it will face the consequences,” President Mahama stated.
Prior to the President’s statement, the Greater Accra Regional Minister had embarked on a demolition exercise at the Sakumor Ramsar site where illegal structures under construction in the area were pulled down.
She promised not to address the indiscipline with human face as practiced in the past where people have been allowed to build at unapproved sites.
Encroachment on Sakumo Ramsar Site: Greater Accra REGSEC halts operations of private developers
