UG workers resist eviction after demolition exercise
Staff of the University of Ghana (UG) and other occupants of lands adjacent to the Achimota Police Station have vowed to resist eviction by an unknown private contractor after a demolition exercise in the early hours of Sunday.
Buildings were pulled down by individuals described as land guards in the presence of police, according to eyewitnesses.
The development has left many residents displaced, and the victims are seeking justice.
Meanwhile, the University of Ghana staff and other occupants have promised to resist any further attempts to evict them from their homes.
Additionally, they are demanding answers from the authorities regarding the identity of the private contractor and the legitimacy of the demolition exercise.
Benjamin Nkumsah, Chairman of the University of Ghana Branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), has criticised the action of the developers and called on the police to ensure that the process is stopped.
“I also heard this incident around midnight. I had a call from our staff [University of Ghana staff] in Achimota. So, they called that there’s this demolition exercise happening at their residence, so quickly we had to also mobilise and come and ascertain what’s happening.”
Mr. Nkumsah disclosed that someone had acquired the land and ordered the demolition, but the occupants and institutions were unaware.
“What’s happening is that someone is putting up a building here; I don’t know who the building belongs to, but all of a sudden, they came around midnight to come and do a demolition exercise here. And I’m told that the people that came, the police were there, pistols were mounted, and even they were shooting around. So, we are seeing this as an incident that the state is aware of, and we are calling on the IGP to act,” he said.
“You cannot come to somebody’s residence around 12 to destroy the place; even people were in with family; at least respect the people.
“So, we are asking that whoever is in charge of this building put a stop. If not, we’ll also resist any attempt to evict our people here,” he added.