No Amount of Pleading will Stop Sakumono Ramsar Demolishing—Linda Ocloo

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has warned residents of the Sakumono Ramsar site that nothing will stop the ongoing demolition exercise.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Ocloo said the resistance of residents would not stop the demolition from proceeding.

The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council restarted demolition of structures built on waterways at the Sakumono Ramsar site on Tuesday.

The exercise was met with fierce resistance by residents and landowners, who denied their buildings were erected on waterways.

Ocloo said the opposition does not faze her.

“This is not the first time we started this. I mean, we’ve seen all that, and so this is not something that will scare anybody. I mean, the day has been successful,” she said.

She was asked by the media why they were closing early if they were not bothered by the opposition from the residents; she said it was due to mechanical reasons.

“The reason why we closed so early was that, you know, we’re using one instead of using two machines. And so we don’t want to overwork the equipment. And so that was why we decided to close by. I mean, look at the military we came with and the police. Do you think – I mean, we are scared of them? I don’t think so. Some of them are pleading.” she continued.

She added that despite the pleading, those whose buildings were in the wrong spots would be demolished.

“They also came pleading, but the right thing should be done. What is wrong is wrong. What is right is right,” she concluded.

Analysis of the Sakumono Ramsar demolition

It is very typical of Ghanaian society for someone to do the wrong thing and then start crying for mercy when it’s time to face consequences.

The Sakumono Ramsar site has been identified as a crucial waterway by authorities and needed to be cleared.

Years of casual lawbreaking have led to the current situation, and drastic measures would be needed to course-correct.

Hopefully, the Minister and her team remains firm and don’t relent based on the pleas and veiled threats from those involved.