Regional News of Saturday, 3 July 2010

Source: GNA

Aflao, July 3, GNA - Several unauthorised structures within the

security zone of the Aflao border, were cleared on Friday in preparation for the border area beautification project.

Hundreds of people and businesses including currency dealers were affected whilst the Metro Mass Transit and the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) have been asked to relocate to the Ghana Private Road and Transport (GPRTU) bus terminal. Mr Cephas Executive PROTOA Branch Secretary has however expressed fears that the GPRTU would throw them out of the terminal. He said PROTOA would only relocate to the terminal with permit from the Ketu South District Assembly.

Mr Evans Klutse, Aflao Sector Commander of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service and Chairman of the Border Security Committee, said saying the area had been legally acquired by government as a security zone and warned that all squatters would be ejected. Mr Bernard Amarble, District Chief Executive said the exercise was to help improve security at the country's frontier and boost the interest of the nation.

He said the people of Aflao have been yearning for a facelift of the border and the time has come to do it. Mr Amarble said the assembly organised a number of meetings with PROTOA over the issue and would grant the association the permit to relocate at the transport terminal.

He said a temporary place had been allocated to affected traders adjacent to the GPRTU terminal. Armed security men supported by a detachment from the 66 Artillery Regiment Ho have been deployed along the four entry points on the border to control vehicular and human traffic in and out of Aflao. A visit by the Ghana News Agency found scores of displaced people seated by their property while carpenters were found erecting makeshift homes. 3 July 10