Acting Director of AMA Interdicted

Major (rtd) T. N. K. Awuah, acting director of the Metro Works Department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), has been interdicted for alleged misconduct in allowing the construction of unauthorized structures in the metropolis.

The letter of interdiction, dated October 14, 2003, signed by Mr. Solomon Ofei Darko, AMA Chief Executive, and sighted by The Chronicle, said a committee was being constituted to investigate the allegation.

The letter, copied to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Greater Accra Regional Minister and Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, stated, "Reports reaching the management of the AMA indicate that you have without the authority of the Accra Planning Committee, allegedly collected monies and authorized the following structures among others to be constructed in the metropolis.

"Some sheds at Agbogbloshie market, an extension to a house at Osu and a wall for a company called Kingsman on the Graphic road.

"All these actions constitute gross misconduct and also tend to bring the service into disrepute. It also contravenes section 76 (1) and (2) of the civil law I993.

"For this gross misconduct, I am to inform you that you have been interdicted, forthwith, pending the outcome of the report of the committee to be set up to investigate the allegations. You are therefore to hand over your schedule of duties to your next in command."

But Major Awuah, when contacted, expressed shock about his interdiction and dismissed the allegations as baseless and unfounded.

"I cannot understand the circumstances surrounding my interdiction but all the same, I understand that a committee would be set up to investigate the case and until the report of the committee is out, I have nothing to say", he told The Chronicle.