Staff and students at the Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School are living in fear after receiving death threats from individuals illegally occupying the ECOMOG slums near Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
The threats follow a failed attempt by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to demolish the slum structures under GRIDCO pylons last week, which was halted due to logistical constraints. The illegal occupants accuse school authorities of pressuring the RCC to carry out the demolition.
Earlier, the RCC had marked the illegally constructed wooden shelters beneath the power pylons for demolition by June 2, 2025.
However, after the demolition notice expired, the authorities reportedly attempted to enforce the order, prompting the violent threats.
Abdulraheem Mohammed, Secretary of the Haqqul Mubeen Institute (a stakeholder in the school’s PTA), confirmed that the threats were issued in retaliation against the demolition efforts.
“The equipment to be used for the demolition also delayed so they couldn’t complete the activity. We also learnt that some political forces came in and stopped the work,” he said.
Mr. Mohammed added, “The slum dwellers gathered in front of the school and started issuing threats, claiming the school has instigated the demolition of the slum. They said they will attack the staff and students.”
According to authorities, police intervention was required to restore calm and prevent the slum dwellers from carrying out their threats against the students.
Located a safe distance from the pylons is the Ghana Lebanon Islamic Secondary School, which has operated for about two decades.
Authorities report that a series of armed robbery incidents have occurred at the school since the slum emerged.
Mr. Mohammed expressed concern about the illegal activities taking place in the slum.
“Somewhere last week, there was an altercation between some of the people in the slum and it resulted in gunshots. If it has gotten to an extent that these people can use guns in this area, then the school and the environs are not safe,” he emphasised.
Over the years, demolition attempts targeting the illegal structures in the area have consistently failed.
Several months ago, a devastating fire swept through the slum – an incident many believed would mark its end. However, the settlement persisted.
Following the June 5, 2024, fire outbreak, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) issued warnings and banned construction beneath its power pylons. Yet these measures have produced minimal results.
The Haqqul Mubeen Institute continues to pressure the government to take decisive action against these unlawful activities.