Forestry Commission announces measures to protect Ramsar sites

The Forestry Commission has announced plans to introduce a 24-hour surveillance system aimed at strengthening the protection of Ramsar sites and preventing further encroachment on sensitive wetland ecosystems.

The move is part of a broader strategy to safeguard wetlands across the country following repeated cases of illegal activities and encroachment that have affected protected areas.

Speaking to journalists during a demolition exercise targeting illegal structures within the Golf Course enclave of the Sakumo Ramsar site on May 5, 2026, the Operations Manager for Stakeholder Collaboration at the Forestry Commission, Joseph Binlinla, said the new measures will ensure continuous monitoring and more effective enforcement of environmental protection laws.

EXPLAINER: Understanding Ramsar sites and their role in environmental conservation

He explained that several mechanisms are being put in place, some of which are not yet being disclosed to the public.

“It's one of the things we are putting in place and there are quite a lot of things that the Forestry Commission will do this time around,” he said.

According to him, the enhanced surveillance system is expected to significantly reduce repeated encroachment on protected lands, a challenge the Commission has been battling for years.

He noted that past enforcement efforts often followed a cycle where demolitions are carried out, only for affected individuals to return and reoccupy the land.

“We come, we demolish, we go, they come back running around in circles. We are not going to continue with that exercise in futility,” he said.

Binlinla added that the new approach will not only focus on demolition exercises but also continuous monitoring to ensure compliance and protect the integrity of wetlands.

He emphasized that the Forestry Commission is “bent on changing the tide of things” and ensuring that future interventions lead to lasting results rather

than temporary fixes.

The Ramsar sites, which are internationally recognized wetlands of ecological importance, are critical to biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and climate resilience.

The joint operation by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the Tema West Municipal Assembly has commenced a three-day demolition exercise within the Golf Course enclave of the Sakumo Ramsar site to restore natural watercourses and reduce flooding risks as the rainy season sets in.

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