The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has distanced her office and local authorities from the demolition of structures at the Kaajaano fishing community in the La Dadekotopon Municipality, an operation that has left several residents displaced.
The exercise, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, April 11, saw a number of homes and structures pulled down, leaving affected residents stranded. Eyewitnesses said the demolition began around 6 a.m. and involved the use of bulldozers and other heavy equipment.
During a visit to the area on Sunday, April 12, the Minister expressed concern, indicating that the operation was undertaken without the knowledge of key stakeholders, including the Regional Security Council and local authorities.
“I contacted those carrying out the exercise and appealed to them to halt the demolition. REGSEC was not informed of this operation, nor was the MCE, and even your MP had no prior knowledge of it,” she said.
“We are here to ensure that proper arrangements are made to provide accommodation for all of you. That is why we are here,” she added.
She assured affected residents that measures would be put in place to provide temporary shelter and address their immediate needs while efforts are made to resolve the situation.
However, the Chief Executive Officer of Anyok Holdings, Clemence Gyato, defended the action, describing it as long overdue. According to him, the exercise followed years of engagement with occupants and was necessary to reclaim encroached state land for a planned coastal development project.
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