A dawn demolition exercise carried out by a taskforce from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly at the Peaceful Settlers enclave near the Ashaiman traffic light has displaced several traders and residents, leaving many counting significant financial losses.
The operation follows weeks of tension between traders occupying the area and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union over the ownership and proposed redevelopment of the disputed land.
Thursday’s exercise saw several makeshift shops demolished, while portions of some residential structures had their roofs ripped off in what affected traders described as an attempt to evict them from the land.
The disputed property has reportedly remained a source of conflict for years between traders and residents on one side and the GPRTU together with a private developer on the other.
Eyewitnesses said the operation, which lasted for nearly an hour, was conducted under heavy security presence, with personnel believed to be from National Security allegedly supervising the exercise alongside some suspected land guards.
Speaking to the media, affected traders questioned why the demolition was carried out despite the ownership dispute reportedly being before a court.
According to them, they have occupied the land for more than three decades and are unwilling to surrender what they consider their rightful property.
One of the affected traders and residents, Daniel Agudah, accused the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Freeman Tsekpo, and the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey, of masterminding the demolition exercise.
However, Dr. Ernest Norgbey, who later visited the scene to assess the situation and help calm tensions, denied allegations linking him to the operation.
According to the MP, since the matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction, he remains hopeful that the dispute will eventually be resolved legally and peacefully.
Some traders also alleged that unknown individuals stole their goods during the demolition exercise while they were away from the area, further worsening their losses.
