The Traditional rulers of Nungua in the Greater Accra Region have appealed to the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, to remove all structures on the Sakumono Ramsar site, popularly known as the Sakumono lagoon.
According to them, people are putting up illegal structures on the Sakumono Ramsar site due to government’s failure on its commitment to uphold the obligation for signing the Ramsar agreement with the Traditional rulers of Nungua (Owners of the Land).
They described government as “Total failure.”
In a statement read by the Nungua Mantse who doubles as the vice president of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, King Odaifio Welentsi II, said they were very much worried of the encroachment of the Sakumono Ramsar site.
He said, “We are aware that some government personalities including people in high positions of trust have also warned this unscrupulous act of encroachment at the site being total disregard of the law.”
“We are aware of some people of Nungua descent who claim to be acting on behalf of the stool partaking in some dubious act leading to encroachment at the site”
“We are not here to level blame on any government institutions but it is abundantly clear that, the wildlife division has no management capacity to deal with the unprecedented encroachment situation at the site and that, looking at the current situation at the Sakumono Ramsar site, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and for that matter, government of Ghana has lost its total commitment to uphold the obligation for signing the Ramsar agreement.
“We’re therefore, appealing to the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to demonstrate to us and Ghana as a whole, their commitment of signing the ramsar agreement by removing all illegal structures on the Sakumono Ramsar site and making the necessary effort to revert the site to its original natural value or comeback to the stool for change of usage of the site/.”
He added that, in addressing the situation, the government of Ghana would not compromise the involvement of any personalities but will do what is right and just in the interest of the people of Nungua and Ghana as a whole.”
The Traditional rulers also stated how “government similarly issued EI 17 known as state lands, Nungua site for National Sports complex of 1999 to acquire an area of 745.272 acres of lands at Santor, a village under the Nungua stool to construct a sports facility of public use.”
“This site is suffering from the same encroachment, illegal development both lands that is the Sakumono Ramsar site and the site for National Sports complex were acquired from the Nungua stool which has reversionary interest in then…the Nungua stool acting per its occupants, Nungua Shintse, Mantse of the traditional area will therefore like to bring this unlawful activities on these sites to the attention of the government.”
“We the chiefs are the custodian of the traditional and cultural pantries of this country. We are duty bound to protect lands and properties belonging to the government in our respective areas of jurisdiction. The reason been that, if government acquire portions of lands particular area and failed to use the lands for the purpose of it was acquire it has to revert back to the us, the traditional authorities as a matter of law therefore as traditional authorities, we have reversionary interest in lands which government has acquired from our forefathers for certain purposes as first optioners,” he said.
King Odaifio Welentsi further called on all traditional rulers in the country to wake up and flight for properties belonging to the government.
“I’m calling on all Traditional rulers across the length and breathe of this country to wake up and wage a crusade against the wanton sale and destruction of government properties.”
“We should not sit unconcerned for unscrupulous individuals, some of who parade themselves as traditional authorities among others to indiscriminately sell government acquire lands under our stool to enrich their pockets. If we fail to do this, one day, we will realize that there are no more lands for us to embark on development projects for present and yet unborn generations. Finally, we trust that the government will hit this call and work to save the situation to make the Sakumono Ramsar site and site for the national sports complex worth their national and international status,” he said.
The Sakumo Ramsar Site also known as the Sakumo Lagoon is a wetland of international importance. It is the only wetland wholly owned by the government and is meant for protecting Sakumono, Tema and their environs against floods and pollution, for the breeding of fish for the Sakumono Lagoon, as well as recreational activities.
It covers an area of 1,364 hectares (3,500 acres) and is situated along the coastal road between Accra and Tema in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, about 3km (1.9 mi) west of Tema.
The Ramsar site is also the relaxation and feeding grounds for over 70 waterbrain species. Besides that, it serves as breeding grounds for about three marine turtle species. Activities currently ongoing within the Ramsar Site include farming, fishing, and recreation, urban and industrial development.
The Sakumo Ramsar site also covers part of Tema Community 3, 5, 6, 11 and 12, through to the Sakumono village, Old Lashibi and Klagon. The site which used to be a habitat for fishes and other water creatures as well as served as a stopover for migrating birds currently has a large portion being encroached upon by individuals and estate developers.
The Sakumo Ramsar site which is also used by farmers to cultivate vegetables during the dry season has also been turned into a huge refuse dumping site which is gradually killing aquatic life in the wetlands.
