About 600 Liberians and Ghanaians have been rendered homeless as a result of a demolition exercise carried out by the Gomoa Fetteh Traditional Council on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
The Traditional Council warned last week that the Budumburam camp’s Zone E would soon be demolished to make room for a market that would help merchants impacted by the Kasoa-Winneba Highway expansion.
The council claimed that the commerce along the highway is impeding the work of contractors building the highway.
It followed through with its warning, demolishing numerous structures at the Liberia Camp.
Some impacted community members, however, blamed the council for the demolition’s extension beyond the originally designated zones, claiming surprise at the operation.
According to affected individuals, about 600 Liberian nationals are now without shelter due to the operation.
The leadership of the Liberian Community perceives the demolition as a clandestine move to drive them out of the settlement and accuses the Ghanaian government of neglect.
They contend that there is a violation of the UN Convention on Refugee Settlements by the demolition.
Without a place to stay, those who are vulnerable—especially the elderly—now face increased risks. A few have taken sanctuary in the nearby schools situated in the Buduburam locality.
The Gomoa East District Assembly is yet to comment on the latest development.