Land Disputes Spark Demolition Drive as La Dade Kotopon Cracks Down on Lagoon Encroachment
Human Rights Reporters
3 min read
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LADMA), Alfredos Nii Anyetei, has defended the recent demolition exercise carried out along parts of the municipality’s lagoon, describing it as a necessary step to reclaim encroached waterways and avert environmental and flood-related disasters.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the signing of performance contracts by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Coordinating Directors at the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Anyetei said the exercise formed part of a broader enforcement effort to restore buffer zones and protect critical water bodies.
According to him, the lagoon—declared a buffer zone due to its ecological importance—has suffered years of unchecked encroachment, despite repeated warnings and engagements with residents.
“All the water from the higher grounds passes through this lagoon before entering the sea. When you allow people to build there, you are creating a disaster waiting to happen,” he stated.
Demolition to Restore Lagoon
Mr Anyetei explained that the demolition exercise targeted structures erected dangerously close to the lagoon and beyond officially demarcated boundaries. The operation, which began from the Bush Road stretch and extended to the Chadi side of the lagoon, was carried out with security support following directives from regional authorities.
He dismissed claims that residents were taken by surprise, insisting that the assembly had consistently engaged affected communities over the years and issued public announcements ahead of the exercise.
“We have been engaging these communities for a long time. People were told where to stop. Unfortunately, some continued to go beyond the demarcated lines,” he said.
Dredging and Redevelopment Plans
Beyond demolition, the MCE revealed that the assembly has a clear post-demolition plan for the area. This includes the removal of debris, dredging of the lagoon, and eventual redevelopment of the reclaimed space for public benefit.
“The first thing is to clear the debris, then we proceed to dredging as soon as possible. After that, we want to open the area up for recreational use,” he noted, adding that contractors have already expressed interest in supporting the dredging works.
No Compensation for Illegal Structures
On the question of compensation, Mr Anyetei was firm that structures affected by the demolition do not qualify, as they were built without permits or planning approval.
“Once a structure does not have a building permit, there is no legal basis for compensation,” he said, though he acknowledged that humanitarian assistance in the form of relief items could be considered on compassionate grounds.
Zero Tolerance Going Forward
The MCE warned that the assembly, with support from the police and military, will continue to enforce planning regulations to prevent further encroachment, particularly as the rainy season approaches.
“Encroachment is encroachment. When you move into an unauthorized area, law enforcement will eventually come in,” he cautioned.
The demolition exercise in La Dade Kotopon comes amid heightened regional enforcement, including the recent declaration of the Majo–Trasaaco–Botima enclave in Adenta West as a security zone—an indication, Mr Anyetei noted, that authorities are no longer willing to tolerate actions that threaten public safety and environmental sustainability.
By Joseph Wemakor|humanrightsreporters.com
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