The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has announced that it will begin demolishing all illegal structures on the protected Tema Ramsar Site starting Monday, August 4, 2025. The operation will focus on unauthorized developments across Communities 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12, as authorities move to reclaim the vital wetland from increasing encroachment.

The decision, announced by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), comes amid growing alarm over unchecked encroachment on the wetland, which is considered critical to biodiversity, flood mitigation, and water purification in the region.

During an unannounced inspection of the area earlier this week, Regional Minister Linda Ocloo condemned the widespread illegal construction activity, describing it as “a serious threat to the ecological integrity of the Ramsar Site.”

“This is a protected area, and we cannot allow private developers or individuals to compromise its long-term environmental value,” Ms. Ocloo said. She also issued a public warning to those engaged in the unauthorized sale of parcels of land within the wetland, vowing that the government would take legal action against offenders.

Residents and occupants of the affected structures have been advised to vacate the premises and remove their belongings before the demolition begins to avoid loss or damage to property.

Designated under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance, the Tema Ramsar Site provides a crucial natural buffer for the coastal city of Tema and serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife species. The demolition exercise is part of a broader initiative by REGSEC and the Regional Coordinating Council to reclaim and safeguard environmentally sensitive zones across the region.

Officials say the crackdown underscores the government’s renewed commitment to environmental enforcement, particularly as rapid urban expansion continues to pressure Ghana’s protected natural areas.