Demolition Renders Hundreds Homeless

The La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly yesterday, embarked on a massive decongestion exercise that brought down unauthorised structures at a slum near the Redco Flats at Madina, in Accra.

The exercise done in collaboration with the police and military, has since left hundreds of residents homeless.

The structures, mainly built with wood had been erected by squatters―some of who were reported to be involved in various criminal activities.

Speaking to Accra based Joy FM, Director of Operations Chief Supt. Kwasi Fori said, the exercise was inevitable adding that, the Accra Regional Police is unshaken in its resolve to fighting crime in the country.

“This very area is noted for criminal activities of notorious elements within, that disturb the public peace and security of this environment. We’ve carried several exercises, flushing out criminals, arresting suspected robbers among others,” he said.

However, some occupants at the area are up in arms with officials of the Assembly for destroying their properties claiming they had not been given ample time to relocate.

A visit to the site during the exercise confirmed the reports as bulldozers tore down kiosks and stalls which had erstwhile served as residence for some of the squatters.

Residents Swindled?

Like jilted lovers, residents of the affected area say they have been swindled by their Member of Parliament, Boniface Abubakar Sadique.

According to them, the Inner City and Zongo Development Minister during his campaign in 2016 promised them a place to live― permanently even promising that they would in no way be evicted.

In an interview with Citi News, the affected squatters expressed disappointment with the approach used in the demolition exercise.

“Boniface came around in the election season and promised not to evict us but he has tasked some police officers to evict us. This is unfair,” a squatter complained.

“They have destroyed our structures and we do not have a place to lay our heads. The Minister promised to put up structures for these squatters but he failed to fulfil this promise and has rendered these squatters homeless,” another said.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]