Accra (Greater Accra) 21 April
Residents of La Abormi in Accra on Wednesday called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to explain the rationale behind the current demolishment exercise going on in the Metropolis.
"We need to know the reason why buildings, some of which were constructed over 50 years ago, are being pulled down without notification," an elderly man resident in the area who identified himself as Koteytse, asked on Wednesday.
Watching the demolishing of a six-roomed building belonging to the proprietor of the popular Mawuli Bar, Koteytse expressed concern at what he described as "wanton destruction of private property".
But the Right Reverend Dr. E. D. Berquaye, Chairman of the Kpeshie sub- district of AMA and leader of the demolishing squad, said the building was erected on an access road which had been mapped out 22 years ago.
Part of the Bar was demolished on Tuesday but the squad had to wait for 24 hours to enable the owner to remove her belongings.
The exercise had to be stopped mid-way for repair works to be carried out on the excavator tearing down the structure. Rt. Rev. Berquaye said the exercise would be continued on Monday.
So far 16 buildings have been demolished at La Abormi.
