The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has demolished a fence wall constructed on a cul-de-sac in the Awudome Estate, a residential community in North Kaneshie, citing unlawful encroachment on a designated public right of way.

The exercise, carried out by a 25-member task force, led by the Director of Operations at the A.M.A, Mohammed Banda, forms part of the Assembly’s ongoing efforts to enforce planning regulations and protect access routes within residential areas.

Explaining the rationale behind the demolition, the Head of Public Affairs of the AMA stated that the property owner had violated the terms of his development permit by extending construction into the cul-de-sac, which is reserved as a community access point.

He explained that the individual had not adhered to the permit issued by the Assembly and was explicitly prohibited from encroaching on the cul-de-sac, stressing that such spaces serve as essential access routes for residents.

According to him, the Assembly had made it clear to the developer that the area in question remained a public right of way and could not be incorporated into private property under any circumstances.

He further revealed that the developer’s permit had expired and that there was an ongoing court case related to the matter, adding that under existing Assembly regulations, no form of encroachment was permitted while the case remained unresolved.

The Head of Public Affairs indicated that the AMA had formally communicated its position to the developer through written correspondence, reiterating that no approval had been granted for any construction on the cul-de-sac.

He also dismissed claims by the developer that the State Housing Company had authorised the use of the space, noting that available documentation from State Housing confirmed that the cul-de-sac had not been allocated as part of the property.

Providing clarification, he described a cul-de-sac as a road with a closed end that allows vehicles to enter, turn around and exit, underscoring its importance in facilitating movement and access within residential communities.

Mr Ankrah reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to enforcing planning laws and warned that it would not hesitate to take similar action against individuals who flout development regulations and obstruct public access routes.