McDonald Owusu knelt helplessly in the mud, hands clasped and face filled with anguish, as bulldozers tore through the Klagon wetlands in Accra. The air was thick with dust and emotion as armed security officers stood by, overseeing a large-scale demolition operation targeting buildings erected on natural water channels.
Owusu, whose property was reduced to rubble, said he had made countless efforts to stop the demolition. He reached out to multiple government offices but received no response. Now, his years of investment have vanished in moments.
He is just one of many affected by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council’s (REGSEC) latest campaign, which began on May 27. The demolitions are part of a sweeping effort to tackle the worsening flood situation that recently brought large parts of the capital to a standstill. With homes submerged and roads washed out, authorities have turned their focus to buildings that obstruct waterways, especially in vulnerable zones like Tema, Sakumo, and Klagon—areas once designated as protected wetlands but now overcrowded with unauthorized structures.
At the scene, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover, emphasized the urgency of the operation. He described the illegal structures as a direct threat to public safety, insisting that restoring the natural flow of water was non-negotiable.
Officials have defended the demolitions, stating they are not merely clearing land but protecting lives and reversing years of environmental damage. Yet, public opinion remains divided. While some believe the exercise is necessary to prevent future disasters, others feel the policy is being enforced without compassion, especially for individuals who may have received informal approvals or built out of ignorance.
Images from the scene show piles of debris and devastated property owners, symbolizing the painful cost of neglecting environmental regulations for years. As heavy rains continue to pose risks to the city, the government’s stance is firm—structures blocking natural waterways will be removed, no matter how high the cost.
