The Director General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, has indicated that the pulling down of unauthorized structures along waterways at the Sakumo Ramsar site has achieved its objectives.

His comment comes after critics identified lapses in preparedness, pointing at the use of lightweight machinery unsuited for the terrain and a temporary fuel shortage that caused delays on-site.

But speaking to the media, he noted, “I don’t think the exercise lacked [coordination]. For me, the beginning of work was very satisfactory”.

The demolition exercise launched by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is intended to manage flooding, enforce environmental regulations in the region, and also revive natural watercourses.

The operation, which began on Tuesday, May 27, comes shortly after the recent devastating floods that hit parts of Accra on Sunday, May 18.

In a meeting with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), on Tuesday, May 27, the Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo revealed plans of stationing a task force within the country to avert a possible erection of the demolished structures.

“We will continue with the demolition exercise at Sakumono and Tema. In some places where the demolition was done, they have raised the structure again. So we are going to cause an arrest. We are not going to leave a single structure; all of them will go down,” the minister stated.

“After the demolition, we are going to put a task force in place who will be working 24 hours to protect the place,” she added.

She bemoaned the compliance amongst some of the affected individuals, although they were noticed prior to the exercise.

“They are aware. In fact, there has been an engagement; they are very much aware of this exercise. Some of the buildings have notices of ‘Stop Work’,” she stated.

There is mounting pressure on the government to initiate long-lasting solutions following the recent flood on Sunday, May 18, that wrecked several homes, claimed lives, displaced residents, and disrupted economic activities.

Weija, Kaneshie, Adabraka, Tema, and Adentan-Dodowa are a few of the areas that have been affected by the rains.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Richard Amo Yartey, has revealed that five lives were lost to the heavy rains on Sunday, May 18.

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling Ghana’s persistent flooding challenges by ordering the demolition of illegally constructed buildings blocking waterways.

Speaking at the 2025 National Eid-ul-Fitr celebration at Black Star Square, he blamed the increasing flood disasters on poor urban planning and unauthorized developments in wetlands, waterways, and Ramsar sites.

The President made it clear that his administration would take drastic action against encroachers, stressing that all structures obstructing natural drainage systems would be removed to prevent further destruction.

“I don’t think the exercise lacked [coordination]. For me, the beginning of work was very satisfactory,” he stated.