The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), with support from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, has removed unauthorized structures at Kofikrom in the North Industrial Area of Ghana. The exercise was conducted after occupants failed to comply with a directive to vacate the area by May 29, 2026. The AMA targeted wooden structures and temporary buildings that had taken over portions of the road, obstructing access for fire tenders and emergency vehicles.
The removal of unauthorized structures was prompted by a major fire that swept through the settlement and affected parts of Duraplast. According to Municipal Chief Executive Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the exercise was not a spontaneous action triggered solely by the fire. He stated that the squatters had been given prior notice and a final deadline to leave the area, with structures marked to signal the impending exercise.
Despite warnings, many occupants remained on the site, and the consequences of continued occupation became evident during the fire outbreak. Fire tenders, water tankers, and emergency equipment struggled to gain access to parts of the affected area due to makeshift structures obstructing the road. Mr. Allotey emphasized that access roads within industrial zones must remain open for emergency and public safety purposes.
The AMA is determined to clear the entire stretch and prevent reoccupation of the area. Mr. Allotey noted that such exercises often attract public criticism but stressed that the fire outbreak demonstrated the risks associated with allowing unauthorized settlements to obstruct roads and emergency access routes. The goal is to protect lives, businesses, and adjoining industrial properties from future emergencies.
Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment, stated that military personnel were deployed to support the operation by clearing structures that impeded the movement of fire tenders and emergency vehicles. He noted that temporary structures had become a major obstacle during the fire response and had to be removed to create space for firefighting and rescue operations.
The AMA assured that measures would be taken to prevent squatters from returning. Lt Col Osei Amponsah said the military's role formed part of its broader disaster-response mandate, and personnel would continue to support relevant state agencies to ensure the affected area remained accessible and safe. The exercise aims to maintain public safety and prevent similar emergencies in the future.
The collaboration between the AMA and the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces demonstrates a coordinated effort to address the issue of unauthorized structures in industrial areas. The removal of these structures is expected to enhance emergency response and reduce risks associated with obstructed access routes. The AMA and the military will continue to work together to maintain safety and accessibility in the area.
Key points
- The Accra Metropolitan Assembly removed unauthorized structures at Kofikrom in the North Industrial Area to improve emergency access and public safety.
- The exercise was conducted with support from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
- The removal of structures aims to prevent reoccupation and ensure that access roads within industrial zones remain open for emergency purposes.
