More than 500 property owners affected by the Kasoa–Winneba dualisation highway project have petitioned the Ministry of Roads and Highways, alleging that they have not been paid compensation three years after their properties were demolished to make way for the road.
The affected persons staged a protest at the Ministry in Accra yesterday, calling for immediate payment and a clear schedule for resolving their claims.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its Chairman, Mr Asamoah Boadu, said the Ghana Highway Authority started work on the road from Umat to Winneba three years ago.
According to him, the project is now about 85 per cent complete, yet many people whose properties were affected have not received any compensation.
Mr Boadu said the group had made several visits to the highway authorities, but there had been no indication that they would be paid.
“For three years they have destroyed our building and spoilt everything of ours. What worries me is that we were there and the formal president (Akuffo Addo) started construction of the Mallam junction to Kasoa road.
“And those that were affected at that time were paid before they even began the construction of the road and made the people know their next move in life.
“But as for us we didn’t see anything of that kind, all we saw was that after after the marking and immediately they started destroying our buildings. They have deceived us,” he said.
Mr Boadu further said the affected persons had previously organised a press conference to highlight their situation, but no government official had responded to their concerns.
He said the group would take further action if it did not receive a response from the authorities or the President by Saturday.
“Last week Wednesday we did a press conference and we voice out our issues and we pleaded with the government officials to speak for us and we didn’t hear from anyone,” he added.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Highway Authority, the Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr Cecil Nii Obodai Wentum, assured the group that the petition would be presented to the Chief Executive Officer.
He asked the affected persons to remain patient and avoid violence, explaining that such actions would not produce positive outcomes.
“The only thing I will say is that during situations like this you will have to exercise a bit of patience and it is that brings about results,” he said.
On behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Wentum also presented GH¢5,000.00 to the group to cover their transport.
Source Opanyin Darko
