Naa Norley
13 August 2008
Trouble is brewing over the ownership,acquisition, and usage, of a parcel of land allocated to the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG), for the establishment of the North Teshie Light Industrial Area.
Whereas most members of the association would want to begin using the land for the purpose it was allocated - settlement of garage owners - squatters have virtually taken over the land and are erecting buildings on it.
Isaac K. Acheampong, Regional Vice Chairman of the Association, in an exclusive interview with Accra File, revealed that the land in contention, was earmarked for the association, during the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in August 1988, after the then Accra City Council, in conjunction with the State Housing Corporation, decided to relocate mechanical fitters in Accra .
Mr. Acheampong noted that for a decade now, there has been no formal regularization of the land, which has retarded the payment of compensation, through government, to the Numo Nmashie family of Teshie, who are custodians of the land.
He said the main challenge facing the association, was that despite the building of a fire station in the industrial area, efforts to get personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to occupy it has proven futile, and the offices have been taken over by squatters.
He said the siting of the Fire Station was very strategic.
Mr. Acheampong revealed that efforts to get the Metropolitan Assembly, to act on its mandatory right to demolish unauthorized structures in the area, have proven futile.
The Regional Chairman emphasized that it was now the headache of the association, because garage owners are complaining about the existence of families, especially women and children in the vicinity.
Explaining further, Mr. Acheampong said it was pathetic to see children below five years, loitering in the area, and with the nature of the work going on there, anything could happen to them.
The association is appealing to the newly-created Ledzokuku Krowo District Assembly, to help in relocating or moving the squatters from the area, to prevent any fatal accidents in the future.
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