The Ghana Railway Development Authority has dispelled assertions that the Alhaji Asoma Banda Mosque in the Airport Residential area in Accra has been earmarked for demolition.
This follows reports that the mosque had been earmarked for demolition.
The Authority, therefore, issued a release on Tuesday stating that, “Contrary to the publications, Alhaji Asoma Banda’s Mosque is not earmarked for demolition.”
Read full rejoinder below and attached
REJOINDER: Railway Lands Demolition Notice.
We write in response to a news story published by the Insight newspaper on ……..and which was also carried by other media outlets regarding a purported ultimatum issued by the Ghana Railway Development Authority to occupants of Railway Lands along the Nyaho Clinic stretch and Asuma Banda's mosque at Airport Residential Area in Accra. We would like to clarify certain aspects of the matter as follows:
1. In the first place the Authority would have expected that in writing a balanced story for the benefit of the reading public the reporter in fairness should have also sought comments or reactions from official sources. In consequence consumers of the media would have been served with an objective story which we believe is one of the cardinal principles of journalism.
2. The Ghana Railway Development Authority has over the years been confronted with significant challenges concerning encroachment and/or trespass on its lands across the country. To abate these challenges the Authority, has taken legal steps to recover these lands from unauthorised occupants.
3. The Authority has pressed into service plans to eject illegal occupants along the Railway right of way at Roman Ridge, including the Nyaho Clinic stretch and Alhaji Asuma Banda's Mosque area. In this regard extensive engagements and consultations are underway to ensure a comprehensive approach that avoids surprises to the affected parties.
4. Contrary to the publications, the Alhaji Asuma Banda's Mosque is not earmarked for demolition. The Authority has engaged with the leadership of the mosque, assuring them that there is no plan to demolish the mosque. Accordingly, we gave them the accrued ground rent invoice for them to make payment. We urge the public to take note of this clarification and disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise.
5. We dispute the claim that the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Madam Susan Delali Akosua Kudjoe, has issued an eviction notice without the knowledge of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yaw Owusu. This assertion not only blatantly false but malicious as well.
6. We acknowledge that encroachment on Railway Lands poses a significant challenge during the ongoing construction of Railway lines. We seek the cooperation of the general public and the media to raise awareness and support the Authority’s efforts in reclaiming these lands for Railway Development.
Thank you. Yusif Tahiru Adams (0240857941/0503618199) Corporate Affairs, Ghana Railway Development Authority.
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