An elderly man whose emotional reaction during a demolition exercise at the Sakumono Ramsar Site in Accra went viral has received housing and welfare support from the Ultimate Charismatic Centre and the Roman Catholic Church at Lashibi.
The man, identified as Mr. Nyarko, gained public attention after videos and images circulated online showing him weeping as structures within the Ramsar enclave were demolished. The footage, which also captured two of his children consoling him, triggered widespread sympathy and concern over the human impact of the demolition exercise.
It later emerged that the demolished structure did not belong to Mr Nyarko. According to reports, he had been staying at the property with his family as a caretaker.
During the demolition, Mr Nyarko was heard lamenting that authorities did not give the family enough time to remove their belongings before the structure was pulled down.
Reports indicate that Mr Nyarko and his children had been living in an uncompleted private building prior to the incident. Following the demolition, the family has been given temporary accommodation at a facility owned by the Catholic Church in Lashibi.
On Sunday, May 11, Mr Nyarko was invited to the pulpit during a church service at the Ultimate Charismatic Centre in Accra in what was described as a gesture of support and encouragement.
The church’s lead pastor, Prophet Akwasi Agyeman Prempeh, announced that the church would fully sponsor Mr Nyarko’s accommodation for the next two years. The church also pledged additional assistance to help stabilise the family after the incident.
The support has been widely welcomed by members of the public, many of whom had expressed concern over the family’s welfare after the demolition video surfaced online.
