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STMA to demolish ghettoes at European Town
• Some unauthorised structures (Ghettoes) dotted along the rail lines
at European Town, Sekondi
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) is set to demolish all unauthorised structures at the Sekondi Railway Station, close to European Town, at Sekondi, in the Western Region, where prostitution is said to be thriving.
Over 400 illegal structures are expected to be removed or demolished to make way for the relocation of traders towards the reconstruction of the Sekondi Market.
Although, STMA had explained that the action was to pave way for Sekondi Market Project, the rail line, near the Sekondi railway station, had generated much concern among the security architecture in the metropolis especially on the use of the base for prostitution, which had attracted foreigners mostly Nigerian girls.
Recently, Social Welfare and Community Development (SW&CD), expressed worry about the increasing rate of child prostitution in some coastal areas of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, particularly, European Town.
It said, some persons notably adults were exploiting children, even at age 16, to engage in sex work.
“No person can exploit the labour of children but this is ongoing in the Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolis, in European Town and Amanful. It’s not a joke. It’s against the law,” the Metropolitan Director of SW&CD, Ms Constance Baiden, revealed at a community campaign targeting the youth.
She reported that elderly men in these communities were those patronising the child prostitution, saying that “after school, these child prostitutes sleep with the men to get some income.”
Ms Baiden again reported that, girls under 16 were staying alone in makeshift(ghettoes) rooms dotted along the rail lines at European Town and collected GH¢20 for sleeping with men, and “nobody is asking questions.”
“Some of the men have no conscience and no morals, indeed, child prostitution and teenage pregnancy are worrying . We need to reduce the trend in the metropolis,” she said.
The Assembly member of Airport Ridge and Chairman of Social Services Sub-Committee of STMA, Mr. Michael Deku, also expressed concern about some married men who targeted the young girls to satisfy their sexual needs.
He blamed the European Town situation on some key people in the communities.
Also, Assembly member of European Town, Mr. Samuel Kojo Mensah, complained about the springing up of ghettoes along the rail line, fuelling prostitution (trade) in the Twin City (Sekondi -Takoradi).
Last Sunday afternoon domestic fire gutted scores of makeshift structures (ghettoes) dotted along the rail lines closed to the train station at European Town, Sekondi.
About 64 structures, mostly drinking bars, and makeshift rooms, were burnt, fas reported by the Ghana National Fire Service.
A 65-year-old woman collapsed in the process.
Six gas cylinders exploded during the fire while another 65 were retrieved to safety, to prevent further explosions.
STMA explained that the action follows the eviction notice served on owners of affected structures in 2021 and the subsequent stakeholder meeting held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Sekondi Youth Centre.
At the said meeting, the release added, that, all the squatters were given two weeks ultimatum, ending Sunday, November 7, 2022, to remove their structures.
“The Assembly, therefore, reminded and urged all affected persons to comply with the directive before expiration of the ultimatum. The exercise will be carried out on the said date without any further notice whatsoever,” it stressed.
Various personal belongings were also burnt, Regional Fire Public Relations Officer, Divisional Officer II, Emmanuel Bonney said.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Sekondi
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
