The Greater Accra Securiuty Council, without a court order, over the weekend engaed in a demolition exercise at Laboma Beach in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality.
Under armed men, the Council claimed that it is removing structures ‘occupying the protected buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon’.
Earlier, on August 7, the Council had given a 21-day ultimatum to people, businesses and owners of structures in the general area.
Several structures in the Laboma enclave are affected by the exercise, including the popular Pink Flamingo lounge, which authorities have identified as being located within the protected zone of the lagoon.
The August 7 directive claimed to formpart of efforts to reclaim waterways and remove developments considered to be contributing to flooding in parts of the Greater Accra Region.
Authorities have cited extensive siltation of the Kpeshie Lagoon and the proliferation of unauthorised developments within its buffer zone as major concerns.
While The Daily Searchlight is in full approval of legal efforts to protect the environment, we must stress that the legality of whatever we do as a State is crucial.
The fact is that in a situation concerning land and immovable property and destruction of same, merely posting notices under the authority of the Regional Security Council is not enough. We believe, strongly, that the Council should have secured a court order before embarking on such an exercise.
While the process by which these people came by the land is not known, we similarly do not know the exact boundaries of the land that falls within the buffer zone.
Again, in Ghana, the law is that the occupier of land is presumed to be the owner, unless the contrary is proven. The point we are seeking to make, is that the law views all as equal, including the government, and once there are structures and other facilities on the land, it is not enough for the government to assert ownership rights and go into occupation without a court order.
Even squatters have rights under certain conditions, and it is necessary that the government realizes that it cannot, even in the case of squatters, get up any old day to go into occupation and cause eviction, without recognizing those rights.
Finally, we urge those whose property are affected by this unlawful exercise, to test the courts.
(Editorial of The Daily Searchlight of 14th September, 2026).
