Over 1,08 00 slum dwellers homeless after demolishing exercise In Accra James Town
On Wednesday, July 13, 2021, Accra Metropolitan Assembly has removed unauthorised structures at the Dogo Beach which serves as a temporary fishing bay for the fisherfolk at Jamestown.
Joana Somiah 
Over 1,800 slum-dwellers at the unauthorised structures in the beachfront stretch opposite the Fire Service Training School popularly called Dogo Beach at James Town in Accra have been rendered homeless.
This was after the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) demolished wooden structures in the area to pave way for the construction of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour.
Speaking to Soireenew, some of the affected residents were of the view that the Assembly should have exercised patience until they have packed their luggage from the area.
They further indicated not given any prior notice ahead of the demolishing.
“What has happened here is not good at all, because our shelters have been demolished so now where will we sleep?”
They revealed that the unfortunate incident will make life hard for them in the capital, therefore, appealed to the government to make arrangements for them to get a place to sleep.
On Wednesday, July 13, 2021, Accra Metropolitan Assembly has removed unauthorised structures at the Dogo Beach which serves as a temporary fishing bay for the fisherfolk at Jamestown.
The exercise carried out on Wednesday by the task force of the Assembly supported by a detachment from the Accra Regional Police Command lasted for over five hours and saw the removal of wooden shacks serving as abodes for some squatters constructed washrooms and kiosks among others.
According to the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the beachfront stretch opposite the Fire Service Training School popularly called Dogo Beach was to serve as a temporary fishing bay for the activities of fisherfolk who were relocated for the construction of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour.
He explained that a lot of unauthorised structures had sprung up at the site contrary to the agreed plan preceding the relocation of the fisherfolk at the Jamestown to pave way for the construction of the new fishing harbour hence the exercise.
He noted that the fisherfolk occupying the temporal site would be relocated to the new Jamestown fishing harbour after completion.
The Chief Fisherman of the Fisherfolk of Jamestown, Joseph Armah said since the site was allocated to them as a temporary fishing bay, other squatters have joined over the period, therefore, increasing the numbers on the site which has resulted in the pollution of the ocean.
He expressed appreciation to the Assembly for undertaking the exercise and assured that they would police the site to prevent encroachment.
The Jamestown Fishing Harbour Project include the dredging of about 100,000 cubic meter harbour basin, construction of hydraulic structures about 1,251 meters, the construction area of management(office buildings, trading markets, cold storage, processing areas, commercial areas, and other production and supporting facilities making up 12644.11 cubic meters had been under construction since August last year and is expected to be completed in 30 months.
In a related development, the AMA taskforce has pulled down an unapproved structure serving as a worship centre on a public walkway around the St. Mary’s Senior High School in Korlegonno.
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent
