Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Anthony Nukpenu, has alleged that some chiefs, officials of the Forestry Commission and other influential individuals are complicit in the illegal sale and development of lands within the Sakumo Ramsar Site.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Nukpenu claimed that some of the same people who publicly complain about encroachment on the protected wetland are also benefiting from the illegal land transactions.

“We take action and then leave it there. The same people who come to complain are the same people who have an interest in the land. Those bringing the complaints are also interested,” he alleged.

Mr Nukpenu dismissed claims that only Chinese nationals were responsible for the developments, insisting that prominent Ghanaians were equally involved.

“They say it is Chinese people building there, but there are top Ghanaians who are also building there and selling the lands to the Chinese,” he claimed.

According to him, the encroachment stretches from Community 12 to Community 5 within the Ramsar site, with large portions of the protected area already occupied by private developments.

“The issue is serious. They have taken almost all the lands,” he alleged.

Mr Nukpenu further accused the Forestry Commission, the Ghana Wildlife Society and some individuals presenting themselves as chiefs of facilitating the illegal occupation of the reserve.

“The Forestry Commission, the Ghana Wildlife Society and some chiefs, who have no stool to sit on but parade themselves in traditional regalia, are all complicit. Politicians are also involved, but we have refused to talk about them,” he alleged.

He noted that the scale of development within the Ramsar site has made any future demolition exercise increasingly difficult.

“The buildings are so magnificent that it is heartbreaking to think about demolishing them,” he said.

Mr Nukpenu maintained that the structures were illegally constructed because no Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly would issue building permits for a protected Ramsar site.

“You may not even need a court order because none of those buildings has a permit from any assembly. No assembly will grant a permit because the land is a protected reservation. Anyone building there is doing so illegally,” he argued.

He also linked last month’s flooding in parts of Accra to the encroachment on the Ramsar site, claiming the developments obstructed the natural flow of water.

“When the floods came last month, those buildings were submerged, and the overflow spread into areas that normally do not experience flooding,” he said.

Mr Nukpenu said the government is reviewing the situation and considering the appropriate measures to address the widespread encroachment on the protected wetland.

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