Structures At Black Star Square Demolished For Marine Drive Project

By Justice Dzido On Jul 19, 2019

Hundreds of structures along the beaches behind the Black Star Square have been pulled down to pave way for the Marine Drive Project.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, in 2018, cut sod for the construction of the US $1.2 billion Marine Drive Tourism and Investment Project in Accra.

The Marine Drive Project, from its construction to the operational stage, is expected to employ some 150,000 people, especially those within the catchment area as well as boost tourism and increase economic growth.

The project was expected to begin last month, but delayed due to the slow evacuation of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies which had their offices at the project site.

This morning, contractors working on the project pulled down several structures including offices and make shifts structures which served as homes to some squatters.

Some of the affected squatters expressed their frustration to Citi News.

“They did not give us anything. We were promised compensation but nothing has been given to us. We have children to take care of and nowhere to live so we are pleading with government to help,” a squatter said.

“The officials came to meet us here earlier and promised compensations. However, that has not been done. We do not have anywhere else to go,” another squatter said.

Meanwhile, the Project Coordinator for the Marine Drive Tourism Investment Project Frederick Frimpong told Citi News, there are plans to duly compensate the affected squatters.

The Accra Marine Drive project, which seeks to link Osu to Abokobi in the Ga East District as the two towns share a common heritage, was part of the Mahama government’s list of projects for the tourism industry.

On World Tourism Day in 2016, the former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, announced that a 13- member Osu Tourism Development Committee had been set up as part of preparation for the project.

However, work on the project did not begin before the Mahama government was voted out.