Railway encroachment threatens Airport Residential Area

Residents in the North Airport Residential Area have called on the city authorities and the Ghana Railway Corporation (GRC) to take immediate action to clear unauthorised structures that have sprung up along the railway track near the Nyaho Clinic.

They contend that the influx of such unplanned structures, mostly kiosks and metal containers, are fast turning the well-developed residential area into a slum.

"We will soon be overwhelmed by these structures which, like a slum, have rendered our vicinity a breeding ground for criminals," said a resident in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

A visit to the area confirmed the fears of residents as dozens of wooden structures are scattered along the railway track, which has remained unused for more than five years.

Most of these dilapidated structures house drinking and chop bars, squatters and selling points for used car accessories like wheel covers and bolts and nuts.

The area behind the structures is overgrown with weeds and exudes a strong smell of human excreta, as these encroachments have no toilet facilities.

The residents say persistent appeals to the authorities, including the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) and the GRC, have fallen on deaf ears.

Some of them even attribute the perceived reluctance by the authorities to clear the squatters off the area to fear of political "consequences".

"It is unfortunate some of these encroachers go about misusing the name of this government and claiming they voted for it and that nobody can do anything to them," a property owner alleged.

Mr Isaac Amoo, MP for the West Ayawaso-Wuogon, did not mince words, expressing his disgust and frustration over the mess, which, he said, resulted from the sheer irresponsibility of the GRC.

Mr Amoo alleged that some management personnel of the Corporation took money from the squatters and allowed them to put up at the site.