AMA demolishes Kofikrom structures to secure fire access routes

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), backed by the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, has torn down unauthorised structures at Kofikrom in the North Industrial Area. The demolition came after occupants ignored a May 29, 2026 deadline to vacate. A fire that broke out earlier had revealed how makeshift wooden huts and other temporary buildings were choking access for fire tenders and water tankers. The Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the move was not a reaction to the blaze but the final step in a process that began with prior notices and markings. He warned that continued occupation could endanger lives and property in future emergencies.

The exercise targeted wooden and other temporary structures that had encroached on roadways, restricting movement for emergency vehicles. The Mayor explained that access routes in industrial zones must stay clear at all times to protect lives and property. He acknowledged that such clean‑ups often draw criticism but stressed that the fire had proved how dangerous blocked roads can be. The operation aims not only to clear the area but also to prevent its re‑occupation and to safeguard nearby industrial sites.

Lt Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment, said the military was deployed to support AMA in clearing obstacles that hampered firefighting and rescue. He added that the regiment’s broader disaster‑response mandate includes assisting state agencies to keep affected zones accessible and safe. The Mayor assured residents that steps will be taken to stop any return to the cleared site and to stop the re‑erection of unauthorised structures.