Amoako-Atta pulls down buildings on American House-Adjiringanor road

Ghana News Agency (Accra) – The Ministry of Roads and Highways has spearheaded the pulling down of structures on land reserved to develop an alternative road to ease traffic congestion on the road linking the American House area of East Legon to Adjiringanor.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, said his ministry had given the owners of the properties five months’ notice to stop construction work but this had been disregarded.

Amoako-Atta said: “People should take a cue from this. When I indicated that these two houses will go down, I was not joking. And that’s why I wanted to be here myself with my team to ensure that they go down.

“There is too much indiscipline in our nation. People don’t respect the laws of our country, either because they think they are rich or something else.

Not above the law

“If you are rich, nobody cares how you came by your riches and it is up to you, your household and your God. Nobody should [think] that because of his wealth, he can do whatever he … likes in this country,” he said.

“People build anywhere and anyhow. Roads are very necessary to promote the growth of this country and the very good people of this country have the right to drive on good roads and to drive without any difficulties, but with convenience.

I also go to church and I’m a Presbyterian. If the church is not doing the right thing, it must be pulled down

“So anybody who encroaches on the road corridor, the road reservation – and I want to repeat, no matter how sophisticated it is, no matter who the person is – [it] will not stand.”

Amoako-Atta said although the exercise had caused inconvenience to local property owners, the government would not pay compensation to them.

Trespass into reservation

The minister warned individuals who wrongfully acquire building permits allowing them to build on waterways and land reserves to desist from such acts.

“So, I can tell you, no compensation has been paid for the land and it will never be paid, because those people trespassed on to the land.

“I have always directed that the wall that has trespassed into the reservation be pulled down.

“I understand it is the structure of a church. I also go to church and I’m a Presbyterian. If the church is not doing the right thing, it must be pulled down,” he added.

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