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17.08.2018 Headlines

AMA Vows To Eject Agbogbloshie Squatters Despite Protest

By CitiNewsRoom
AMA Vows To Eject Agbogbloshie Squatters Despite Protest
17.08.2018 LISTEN

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has indicated that it will go ahead with its planned demolishing exercise at Agbogbloshie despite protests by squatters in the area.

The exercise, when embarked upon, will affect over 1000 structures along the railway line, spanning from the Accra Breweries Company to the Agbogbloshie station in Accra.

A similar exercise conducted at Old Fadama in 2015, led to the destruction of about 1000 structures and a subsequent riot.

City authorities have periodically removed unauthorized structures as part of government's vision of making Accra one of the cleanest cities in the country.

In a Citi News interview, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, said the assembly will embark on the demolition to pave way for some traders to do their business.

“The Assembly will move in to demolish those structures there. The Assembly wants to demolish those structures on that particular piece of land to make way for some tomatoes sellers.”

Mr. Ankrah further mentioned that the AMA will not back down its decision despite the protests because it had given the squatters enough time to vacate the place.

“We have given them ample time to ensure that they move their belongings and failure to do so we will be forced to eject them. They are not supposed to be there, and the assembly is not making any arrangement to relocate them to any other place.”

Demolition exercises in Accra
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), usually embarks on demolition exercises to remove structures constructed without permits in the capital.

In the past, the AMA has pulled down illegal structures in areas such as Odaw River, Korle Lagoon, Old Fadama among others.

The Assembly maintains that, the construction of structures without permits is also an offence punishable by law.

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