An elderly man whose emotional reaction during a demolition exercise at the Sakumono Ramsar Site in Accra went viral last week has received emotional and material support from the Ultimate Charismatic Centre and the Roman Catholic Church in Lashibi.
The man, identified as Mr Nyarko, appeared in widely circulated videos and photographs crying as structures within the Ramsar enclave were demolished. The footage, which also showed two of his children consoling him amid the destruction, sparked widespread public sympathy and concern over the human impact of the demolition exercise.
It has since emerged that the demolished structure did not belong to Mr Nyarko. According to reports, he and his family had been living there as caretakers.
In the viral video, Mr Nyarko lamented that he had not been given enough time to evacuate the premises, stating that many of their belongings were still inside when the demolition took place.
Before the incident, Mr Nyarko and his children were reportedly staying in an uncompleted private building. They are currently being housed temporarily 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 as part of what church leaders described as a gesture of support and restoration.
The church’s lead pastor, Akwasi Agyeman Prempeh, announced that the church would cover the family’s accommodation expenses for two years and provide additional welfare support to help stabilise their situation.
He further stated that after the family’s temporary stay at the Catholic Church facility ends, arrangements would be made to secure rental accommodation and continue supporting the family for at least another two years.
