North Industrial Area fire: AMA clears Kofikrom structures to open emergency routes

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), with support from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, has demolished unauthorised structures at Kofikrom in the North Industrial Area to create access routes for emergency vehicles.

The exercise targeted wooden and other temporary structures that had encroached on parts of the road, making it difficult for fire tenders, water tankers and other emergency vehicles to reach affected areas.

The demolition comes after a major fire outbreak swept through the Kofikrom settlement and affected parts of Duraplast.

In a news release shared by the AMA on Friday, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the exercise was not triggered solely by the fire, explaining that the occupants had been directed to vacate the area by May 29.

He said structures within the settlement had also been marked ahead of the exercise, but several occupants remained despite the warnings.

According to the Mayor, the fire outbreak highlighted the dangers posed by the continued occupation of access routes within industrial areas.

He said the AMA would clear the entire stretch and take steps to prevent the area from being reoccupied.

The AMA said the exercise was aimed at protecting lives, businesses and adjoining industrial properties from future emergencies.