Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo has issued an unreserved apology following public backlash over remarks suggesting that postings to northern Ghana could be used as a form of punishment.
The comment, captured in a widely circulated video, was made during a demolition exercise at the Sakumono Ramsar Site on May 5, 2026.
While addressing staff of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), the minister warned that officials who approve permits for illegal developments would face sanctions, including transfers.
“If you issue a permit to an illegal structure, knowing very well that the place is illegal, you will also face the law… some of them have been transferred to the north, just to serve as a kind of punishment,” she stated.
The remarks quickly drew criticism, with many describing them as inappropriate and insensitive.
In a statement issued later the same day, Ocloo said her comments were a slip and did not reflect her actual views or government policy on postings within the public service.
“I wish to state, without reservation, that the comments captured in the video were a genuine slip in communication and do not reflect my considered views,” she said.
She explained that she had intended to highlight concerns about technocrats who allegedly issue permits without due process and are sometimes reassigned to distant locations, but acknowledged that her wording created the wrong impression.
The minister apologised directly to Ghanaians, particularly those in the Northern Regions, for any offence caused.
Ocloo reiterated her commitment to professionalism, fairness, and due process in administrative decisions, stressing that staff postings are governed by established procedures and not punitive motives.
Meanwhile, the demolition exercise at the Sakumono Ramsar Site is ongoing, led by the Forestry Commission in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the Tema West Municipal Assembly.
Authorities say the operation is aimed at removing unauthorised structures within the protected area to help reduce flooding risks and preserve the ecological integrity of the site.
Her release is below:
