AMA demolition squad faces resistance

Daily Graphic (Back Page). Friday Feb. 19/10

Story Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho
Yesterday’s demolition exercise by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to rid the main Achimota-Apenkwa Motorway of illegal structures nearly turned violent when AMA officials were confronted by an angry mob.
No injuries were recorded but two persons were arrested and detained at the Tesano Police Station for obstructing the AMA officials from doing their legitimate work.
The exercise began about 5 a.m. with the demolition of stalls and kiosks which, according to the assembly, were illegally sited along the highway.
The demolition squad was at work when resistance from owners of the structures intensified, with some pelting the squad with stones.
The AMA task force was supported by 102 policemen, led by the Greater Accra Regional Operations Commander, Superintendent Sylvester Boyuo, and bulldozers were used to undertake the removal of unauthorised structures on the Apenkwa Overhead through to the old Achimota Station to the new Achimota Bus Terminal.
Some of the structures demolished included drinking bars, fitting shops, cosmetic shops, a glass manufacturing company, as well as kiosks which served as residential accommodation for some traders and apprentices.
In spite of the resistance, the crowd looked on as the bulldozers destroyed containers, some of which still contained goods, while some of the people also managed to secure some of their goods.
The leader of the exercise, Chief Joseph Okai from the AMA, said the traders had been given sufficient notice, saying that the exercise was part of the Accra Mayor’s determination to decongest the city of illegal and unauthorised structures.
He said he had personally been to the area three times to inform the people about the intended demolition but all the warnings fell on deaf ears.
The Okaikoi Sub-metro Director, Ms Abena Kwesiwa Kyei, said her outfit had, since the beginning of the construction of the Tetteh Quarshie-Abeka Lapaz Highway, been announcing, through various media, for the traders to remove their stalls and kiosks but they all ignored the warning.
The Director of Works at the AMA, Mr Valentine Amedo, said most of the structures in the area did not have permits from the AMA, for which reason the demolition exercise was in order.
Some of the shop owners who were affected by the exercise, however, claimed they were not aware of the exercise.
According to them, a committee that was set up when the demarcation of the highway was being done assured them that their stalls and kiosks would not be affected.