A taskforce led by the Amenfi West Municipal Chief Executive, Lord Nana Tandoh, has demolished dozens of structures used as business haven by commercial sex workers in the Municipality.
The Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) taskforce, which comprised of personnel of the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, National Security and Fire Service, ransacked and pulled down the brothel structures in which the illicit activities happened.
According to the MCE, the brothels are occupied by foreigners, most of whom are Nigerians.
The said brothels, mainly made of plywood and covered with polythene, are situated in the heart of Asankrangwa, Aboi Nkwanta and Wassa Dunkwa.
Speaking to the media about the exercise, Lord Nana Tandoh emphasised that the activities of the sex workers pose a security threat since no one knows what or whom they might be bringing to their various places.
Noting that the exercise would not be a nine day wonder, he said that the nation can’t prevent ECOWAS citizens from entering Ghana but those who engage in illegal activities would not be tolerated.
“Looking at the ongoing prostitution in the township dominated by foreign nationals, we had to call on MUSEC to plan on what action to take. We are doing this surprise demolition exercise which started from Asankragua to rid the area of the act.
“Some of the structures [brothels] are permanent and so we have invited the landlords for a meeting. We have given them a two-week ultimatum to sack the prostitutes or risk having their buildings demolished. For the temporary structures, we have demolished them all and we have instructed the land owners to remove the remaining pieces.”
The MCE disclosed that no arrests were made because the ladies ran away however some of the things found in their rooms were herbal concoctions, amulets/juju(black magic), condoms, cooking items, gas cylinder, dirty clothes.
Despite the success of the exercise, residents in the affected communities were divided on the subject.
Female residents, some of whom are married and/or mothers shared their joy with Angel News reporter, Nana Fynn.
According to them, their marriages have been saved from collapse due to the sex workers.
However, some of the male youth who are mainly the costumers of the sex workers said that the exercise would impact them negatively.
“Having a girlfriend is expensive these days, they burden you with money for hair, clothes and demand iphones which we can’t afford. But if I have GHc20, I can get sex from the sex workers.”
Another added that “if I go for someone’s wife there will be trouble, but with this I’m free”
