AMA demolishes structures at Dansoman
A task force from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) yesterday demolished shops and other structures at Dansoman Last Stop, a suburb of Accra.
Advertisement
Traders and shoppers who went there to transact business, experienced the shock of their lives and tried to resist the operation.
The affected traders and inhabitants wailed as they rained curses on the AMA officials.
The demolition exercise, which started around 9 a.m., was supervised by police officers and the AMA task force.
The timely intervention of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Ms Ursula Owusu Akuful, brought the situation under control as the action of the task force ceased.
MP for the area
Ms Akuful said she was on her way to Parliament House when she received a call that there was a demolition exercise going on in her constituency.
As a result, she indicated that she had no option but to rush to the scene .
According to her, the only notice served the traders was on Friday, March 21, 2014, adding that it was not enough to enable the traders vacate the area.
Other Trending Stories
Ms Akuful observed that the AMA was going beyond its boundaries, and that the earlier it was brought to order, the better.
“If Mr Vanderpuye is the mayor and thinks he has authority over everything, I want to let him know that this is my constituency and I’m obliged to serve and protect the interest of my people and will not allow anything bad to happen to them,” she said in an angry manner.
“Today, things are so hard in this country such that traders find it difficult to sell their items. You’ve locked up their shops since Friday. How do you expect them to earn a living?” she asked.
She indicated that the AMA had no right to demolish structures as and when it felt like doing without any proper and prior notice.
Way forward for AMA
She said the way forward for the Accra Matropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) was to reach a consensus with the MPs in the areas he intended to carry out his demolition exercise and avoid springing up surprises on residents every now and then, adding that, “if he had informed me, I would have given notices to the traders and things would have been easier.”
Traders
Some traders who spoke to the Daily Graphic expressed frustration at the situation.
“I work as a lotto operator and pay my levies to the National Lottery Authority, so I don’t understand why my kiosk should be demolished,” Ms Beatrice Boateng said in the Twi language.
One other trader, Ms Henrietta Boafo, expressed surprise at the action of the task force. She indicated that the traders were not served with any notice before the exercise.
“In Ghana if you don’t register your displeasure, your concerns will not be heard by anyone,” Kofi Ntsi expressed in a frustrated mood.