SLUM UNION OF GHANA CONDEMNS DEMOLISHING OF HOUSES IN MENSAH-GUINEA
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana. September 8, 2014
The Slum Union of Ghana, with the full solidarity of the International Alliance of Inhabitants, wishes condemn in the strongest terms possible the illegal demolishing that took place at Mensah-Guinea, a neighborhood of Accra on Friday September 5, 2014 rendering over 1000 people (including women and children) homeless.
The sad incident took place under heavily armed police and military guard at early dawn after just two days notice was given to the residents to vacate the area without any opportunity for genuine consultation. This constitutes forced eviction , which is illegal under international laws, hence inhumane, barbaric and outright show of impunity.
The Slum Union of Ghana has always been a good partner to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in development, and will continue to be. they will however resist any such move with all the force it deserve the next time the AMA tries to violate the rights of their members as it has done in Mensah-Guinea.
There are lay down steps to follow in other to carry out any eviction according to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural rights which the AMA is aware of, we therefore expects them to follow these steps when there is the need for any eviction in any part of the city.
They therefore call on the AMA to take steps to compensate the victims of the inhumane distraction of houses at Mensah-Guinea.
The Slum Union of Ghana (SUG) is a union of all slum dwellers in Ghana, registered as a not for profit organization to come up with innovative ideas as to how the cities in Ghana can be better developed without violating anybody’s right to adequate housing. Formed in 2012, they have membership across the country and are part of international organizations that deal with housing right and habitat.
Contact:
Abdallah Alhassan
Secretary, SUG
+233 241117117/ +233 264509009