The Managing Director of TDC Ghana Limited, Mr. Courage K. M. Nunekpeku, has issued a stern call for a permanent resolution to the persistent encroachment on the Sakumo Ramsar Site, warning that recurring demolitions alone cannot save the vital wetland.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement organized by TDC following a recent demolition exercise at the site, Mr. Nunekpeku decried the endless cycle of illegal development and destruction. “You keep encroaching, and we always come after you with demolitions. For how long must we continue like this?” he asked pointedly.
The meeting, held in Tema, drew a cross-section of critical players, including officials from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA), security agencies, traditional leaders, residents, and other interest groups. Dignitaries present included Tema West MP Mr. James Enu, Tema West MCE nominee Mr. Ludwig Teye Totimeh, and Presidential Staffer Mr. Anthony Nukpenu.
Mr. Nunekpeku challenged the popular justification by some developers who claim legitimate ownership because they bought land from chiefs or private individuals. He cautioned that their actions contributed to major flooding risks, endangering innocent communities downstream.
“You may think that buying land gives you the right to develop it, but have you considered the flooding that results and the suffering of others? Your rice and oil donations to victims after the damage do not undo the harm,” he stressed.
As immediate relief, Mr. Nunekpeku proposed urgent dredging of the entire water channel from Santeo to Sakumono to mitigate flood risks, alongside a long-term solution of constructing a dedicated canal to safely channel floodwaters through the Ramsar area into the sea.
Backing the call for proactive measures, Mr. James Enu, MP for Tema West, urged stakeholders to prioritize the proposed interventions and work together on fundraising strategies to execute the projects.
The engagement ended with a renewed commitment from all parties to explore sustainable actions that would both protect the environment and ensure safer living conditions for residents.
