TMA TO DEMOLISH UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT RAMSAR (DAILY GRAPHIC, JUNE 5, PAGE 29)

The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) is bracing itself to demolish unauthorised structures at the Ramsar Site reserved for migratory birds from Europe.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Kempes Ofosuware, expressed disappointment about the encroachment at the Ramsar Site and impressed on land agencies and other stakeholders to assist the TMA to protect the site from further encroachment.
The Ramsar site was created in 1960 for the Game and Wild Life Department to protect wildlife following an international convention that established a charter on the need to protect birds that migrated from Europe during winter.
Mr Ofosuware expressed the readiness of the TMA to deal with encroachers during an inspection tour of the Titanic Beach and Ramsar Site at Sakumono in Tema.
The Chief Executive was accompanied by officials of the Town and Country Planning and Bureau of the National Investigations, as well as military and police personnel.
The tour was the first by the chief executive since he assumed office and aimed at identifying problems facing the metropolis.
Mr Ofosuware said the TMA would convene an emergency meeting of the land and regulatory agencies and demolish structures in order to protect the site.
At the Ramsar Site, it was observed that certain portions had been encroached upon by a private developer.
The encroacher, Mr Anthony Klutse, told the entourage that he purchased an acre of the land at GH¢24,000 from one Mr Samuel Nii Whang Bortier.
At the Titanic Beach at Sakumono, Mr Ofosuware said the organisation of weekend parties at the beach was worrying and pledged to take measures to safeguard life and property since the resort was very close to the main Tema-Nungua road.
He said the sale of alcoholic drinks at the beach could pose a threat to holidaymakers who patronised the place.
The Resident Engineer of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Victor Mensah, who conducted the chief executive round the Ramsar Site and Titanic Beach, called on the government to revive the national task force on government lands in order to prevent state lands from any encroachment.
Mr Mensah said the task force, which is made up of metro, municipal and district assemblies, security agencies and land agencies and chaired by the National Security Coordinator was very instrumental in protecting state lands in the past.