General News of Saturday, 20 June 2015

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Sodom and Gomorrah demolition underway

Parts of the biggest slum in the capital, Old Fadama, infamously referred to as "Sodom and Gomorrah" is currently being demolished as promised by the Greater Accra Regional minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo.

"We have been accused based on the love [we have shown]. We have no time again to waste and there is no better time to start than now," the minister said on Joy Midday News on Friday.

Currently, there are earth moving equipments clearing structures that have served as the homes and business centers of thousands of squatters who have called the place home for years.

The Mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije and the regional Minister are on the ground overseeing the demolition in the heavy presence of security forces.

The reason for the demolition is tied to the perennial floods which is supposed to converge in the Odaw river, which is choked as a result of the human activities that the 'residents' of the place undertake.

Some residents of the place had earlier expressed worry about today's demolition, but were seen standing by looking on whiles others were also salvaging as much as they could of their property.

The decision to demolish structures at 'Sodom and Gomorrah' have been taken long ago, but its implementation had been stalled by political considerations and human rights concerns. The place is a political hotbed and is home mostly to northerners who migrate down south.