UN cautions against forced tenant evictions without prior consultation 

The United Nations (UN) has cautioned Ghanaian authorities to be wary of the threat of forced evictions without prior consultation.

Koldo Casla, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, said the practice must end since it contravened the citizens' rights, especially where victims were forcefully evicted without any proper compensation.

“Politicians must pay particular attention to the need to avoid the use of stereotypical language to criminalise homeless people or people living in informal settlements,” he said.

In a statement issued to round-off his 12-day official visit to Ghana, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Saturday, the UN official said the development had rendered many people homeless while others had also lost their businesses.

The advice comes following the recent mass demolition of some structures in Ghana's capital city of Accra.

“The old Fadama community has faced continuous threats of forced eviction since the early 2000s, including most recently as a consequence of the local government's development plan for the adjacent Agbogbloshie Market,” the UN Special Rapporteur said.

The statement advised the Government to actively engage and listen to the needs of people living in poverty in the design of public policies.

On his interaction with the people, the UN official said the testimonies from communities in informal settlements had convinced him that public participation was key to urban planning and housing development.

GNA