A private citizen, Samson Asaki Awingobit, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to halt the construction of the US$1.3 billion Sentuo Airport Garden City project in Ghana's capital, Accra. The project, located at 10 Giffard Road in the Airport Residential Area, was initiated just days ago when President Mahama cut the sod for the project on September 15. Asaki argues that the development requires a second look due to its proximity to military and aviation installations.
The proposed project involves the construction of 582 apartments, a 600-room hotel, and a 2,500-capacity conference facility. Asaki raises concerns that the scale of the project poses significant security risks, given its location within Accra's military-security corridor, near Burma Camp and Air Force Base areas. He cites four key risks, including the potential for high-rise buildings to offer elevated vantage points over sensitive sites.
Asaki also expresses concerns about the surveillance, access-control, and data systems of the facility, which he believes could be operated by individuals outside Ghana's security oversight. Furthermore, he questions whether occupants and corporate tenants of the facility will be adequately vetted, and notes that the facility's proximity to Accra International Airport could facilitate an escape by someone posing a threat.
In his petition, Asaki lists ten demands, including the immediate suspension of construction pending a review, a multi-agency assessment involving various security agencies, and a land-use review of height, density, and orientation. He also calls for beneficial-ownership and source-of-funds checks on the developers, as well as tenant vetting and Ghanaian oversight of the complex's security systems.
Asaki emphasizes that his petition is not anti-China or anti-investment, but rather a call for caution and scrutiny. He welcomes the investment but believes it is essential to ask hard questions now rather than risking problems once the buildings are constructed. The petition has been copied to several high-ranking officials, including the Chief of Staff, Ministers for Defence and Interior, and heads of various security agencies.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama stated that Ghana is open for investment, and Sentuo Group claims that the project will create over 3,000 jobs, mostly for Ghanaians. The developer's marketing materials highlight smart access control, full-coverage CCTV, and round-the-clock security patrols, with a projected completion date in 2029.
As of now, there has been no public response to the petition from the Presidency, Sentuo Group, or the security agencies. The project's fate remains uncertain, as Asaki's concerns raise important questions about the balance between economic development and national security.
Key points
- The petitioner, Samson Asaki Awingobit, demands a multi-agency assessment involving various security agencies before the project proceeds.
- The Sentuo Airport Garden City project involves the construction of 582 apartments, a 600-room hotel, and a 2,500-capacity conference facility.
- Asaki's petition calls for the suspension of construction pending a review of the project's security implications.
