Residents of Osu in the Greater Accra Region have opposed plans by the government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, to develop the beach front in Accra.

The Marine Drive Investment Project seeks to modernize the beach front in Accra with the aim of making the city a trade and economic hub in the West Africa sub-region.

The project, jointly financed by three Chinese companies, would be situated on the land stretching from the Osu Castle through the back of the Independence Square to the Arts Centre, under Executive Instrument (EI) 59.

Nii Torgbor Abrenseh III, the Shippi of Osu Anorhor – one of the four quarters of the area, who addressed the media, said, “No attempt was made to engage the elders and people of Anorhor or Osu in general before the issuing of this Instrument.”

He added, “No respect was accorded the chiefs and people of Osu in this blatant takeover of our ancestral lands.

“We consider this attempt at taking over our lands as an abuse of executive power and we shall resist the takeover in every possible way open to us.”

According to him, “Osu Anorhor has nowhere to resettle her citizens, even if she was minded to do so as the authorities have not seen it fit to even discuss the matter.”

He indicated, “We the citizens of Osu Anorhor are saying that in the name of peace, this forceful acquisition of our land must be rescinded with immediate effect.” We are peace-loving people, but we hope that our peaceful nature is not mistaken for weakness.”

No Benefit For Indigenes

According to him Nii Torgbor Abrenseh III pointed out that the people of Osu and the Anorhor quarter had not benefitted from governments – past and present – in the development of their communities.

He noted that the Marine Drive Investment Project would benefit only foreigners and not indigenes of Osu.