The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has marked the wall of former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s house to be demolished in a matter of days. The wall which was marked on January 31, 2011 is to be demolished for a span of 18 feet into the house of the former President.
The 18 feet distance from former President Kufuor’s wall would definitely affect the main building of the immediate past first gentleman of Ghana. The house Kufuor shares wall with would be demolished 10 feet within. In a period of about two weeks, the AMA has marked certain structures along the rail lines between Accra and Tema for demolishing.
The first of these markings took place at the Kantamanto market where it is estimated that more than fifteen thousand would be displaced from their place of livelihood when indeed most of these people have been selling in the Kantamanto market for more than twenty years. The AMAs latest demolishing is to create a distance of 100 feet away from the lines to pave way for the construction of new railway lines, it is claimed. But this time around, the Mayor of Accra has gone to some of the most sensitive areas in the capital city. The places affected are Airport West, Airport Residential area, Dzorwulu and Roman Ridge. It is clear that most of the prominent people reside in these areas. Some residents who are to be affected by the impeding demolition have said they had an agreement with the Ghana Railway Company in 1996.
The agreement stated that all their new structures should be 50 feet away from the rail lines and that is what they have complied with all these the years. More than 150 houses and 100 structures have been marked for demolition between Shangri-La Overhead and Dzorwulu. Africa Regent hotel, popularly known as Hotel Kufuor is the first to be marked for demolition. Former President Kufuor’s house which is almost 90 feet away from the rails lines, is the 11th building marked for demolition.
Other prominent personalities to be affected by the action of the AMA boss are former Chief of staff, Kwadwo Mpiani and Member of the Council of State, Alhaji Asumah Banda whose house and a two-million dollar mosque are to be demolished. Mr. Adenuga, the CEO of Globacom Telecommunication Company’s building is also marked for demolition though it is more than 70 feet away from the rail lines. Alhaji Salia’s mosque is as well to be demolished despite the amount of money invested in the project. Many other highly placed personalities are all to be affected including Vice President John Mahama’s new mansion being put up at Airport West.
The current conduct of Mr. Alfred Vanderpuye has raised unrest in the National Democratic Congress. Information available to the Daily Searchlight newspaper indicates that the project for which Mr. Vanderpuye is busily demolishing structures is scheduled to commence in 2012. The agreement hasn’t been sent to the Ministry of Finance, not to even talk about cabinet approval for Parliament to certify the agreement.
Source: The Searchlight
