Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has called on the government to exercise caution in the handling of demolition exercises across the country.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme in Accra-Tema on September 24, 2026, Mr Koomson warned that poorly managed demolitions could create unnecessary fear, hardship and dissatisfaction among affected residents.
He said he has lived in Tema since 1971 and is familiar with the area and its communities, stressing that authorities must carefully examine the circumstances surrounding affected structures before taking action.
According to him, government has a legitimate responsibility to enforce planning regulations and other relevant laws, but such enforcement must also take into consideration the impact on ordinary residents.
He urged authorities to engage affected communities adequately, provide clear information and ensure that all required legal procedures are followed before demolitions are carried out.
Mr Koomson said effective enforcement should not disregard the circumstances of people whose homes, businesses or livelihoods could be affected by government action.
Government urged to take political communication seriously
Mr Koomson also cautioned the government against underestimating the power of political communication and propaganda.
He said opposition parties could use controversial government decisions and isolated incidents to shape negative perceptions about an administration.
The labour leader therefore urged government to explain its decisions clearly and consistently to prevent misinformation and politically motivated narratives from dominating public discussion.
He cited political developments during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings as examples of how certain incidents could become politically sensitive and subsequently be used by political opponents.
Mr Koomson said government must anticipate the political implications of major decisions and communicate effectively with citizens.
He stressed that communication becomes even more important when government policies or enforcement actions directly affect people’s homes, businesses and livelihoods.
He therefore called for a combination of enforcement, consultation and public education to minimise tensions and ensure that communities understand the reasons behind demolition exercises.
By Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
