Hundreds of residents in the Senya Electoral Area, typically the Maamobi enclave, on Thursday organized a march to protest against a short notice given to them to vacate the current “Kasoa Kuda Market” location to pave way for a redevelopment exercise.
The residents, whose structures have been earmarked for demolition, appealed to the authorities for more time to vacate the place following a final eviction notice from the Assembly effective August 28.
The residents marched from the Kotobabi JHS through Accra Newtown to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle [Obra Spot] to register their displeasure about the exercise.
While some asked for additional time to relocate, others requested financial compensation.
According to reports, the land was acquired by Executive Instrument in 1963, although some residents have claimed that they inherited it from their forefathers as far back as 1967.
In an exclusive interview with The Sikaman Times, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth organizer for the Senya Electoral Area said he had tried everything to get the authorities to extend the timing for the demolition, but to no avail.
According to him, the demolition is being planned by the Municipal Chief Executive of the Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly, Aminu Mohammed Zakari, with the support of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey.
However, The Sikaman Times‘ checks revealed that there have been previous attempts by successive governments to demolish structures on the land to pave the way for the construction of a market complex, which have met the resistance of the alleged encroachers.
Also, our checks indicate that Hon. Zakari has been visiting the area since 2020 to notify them of the planned demolition.
The government is yet to provide a formal response to the pleas of the residents for an extension following Thursday’s protest.
