On Tuesday, March 21, a large number of structures surrounding the Central Mosque in Kawukudi in the Ayawaso East Municipality of Accra were demolished, leaving hundreds of people homeless.
The Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly (AEMA), under the direction of the police, carried out the destruction.
The action is being taken to remove "the unauthorised squatters" from the plot of land, which is situated adjacent to the National Mosque between the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the Nima-Maamobi Community Library.
The practice reportedly began around daybreak when the locals were still asleep, according to witnesses.
Almost 200 structures, including auto repair shops, shipping containers, and food vending machines, were in ruins when Graphic Online arrived in the area at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Women carrying infants on their backs among the demolition victims were observed attempting to retrieve some objects from the wreckage.
Some 30 armed police officers were visible, providing protection.
Rafik Seidu, an eyewitness, estimated that the demolition exercise began at 5:30 a.m. for Graphic Online's Timothy Ngnenbe.
"As I concluded my prayers in the mosque and stepped outside, I noticed people scurrying from their bedrooms." While they were still in their sleep when the demolition began, some of them had towels around their waists, while others wore only shorts," he explained.
"I'm not sure whether it's true, but some individuals have claimed they plan to remove the area and turn it into a police station," he continued.
ASMA has not commented.
It is unclear why the demolition exercise was conducted since the AEMA declined to comment to Graphic Online.
Three separate reports of the destruction were provided by the locals.
Several of the locals said that because a church had purchased the site, they were being evicted to make room for the development of the property by the church.
While some said the structures were being demolished to make room for a police station, others claimed it was because of the National Mosque.
Graphic Online's attempts to reach AEMA officials for clarification, however, were unsuccessful because they were coy.
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