AMA boss promises free housing for Kofikrom squatters

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced plans to construct free single-room accommodation for residents of Kofikrom, a squatter settlement at Avenor in the North Industrial Area.

The project, which is expected to receive support from corporate institutions, will replace the community’s largely wooden structures with permanent buildings and improve sanitation, security and access to the area.

Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, announced the plan when he visited the community to inspect the ongoing removal of debris following a recent fire outbreak that destroyed several structures and affected adjoining industrial facilities, including parts of Duraplast.

He said the proposed accommodation would be provided free of charge to residents and would neither be rented nor sold to beneficiaries.

“We all we dey a street top. The reason why I’m not scared of the street. I’m coming from the street. And the street never forgets,” Mr Allotey said as quoted in a news release shared on Thursday, October 8.

The proposed redevelopment will involve rows of single-storey buildings containing individual rooms for residents.

The AMA boss said the project would also include streetlights, walkways, improved sanitation facilities and tarred access roads to make the area safer and more organised.

He said the Assembly would engage corporate institutions to support the provision of roofing materials, streetlights and other infrastructure needed for the redevelopment.

Mr Allotey stressed that the project would not give beneficiaries ownership rights over the land or the accommodation.

He cautioned that residents would not be allowed to sell, rent out or exercise unauthorised control over the facilities, as the land would remain government property.