The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has begun an exercise to remove containers and other illegal structures at Rawlings Park in the Central Business District of Accra.

The exercise which began in the early hours of Tuesday, April 27, and supervised by officials of the assembly and police personnel forms part of measures to sanitise the park to serve its purpose.

The Rawlings Park which is located at the heart of the CBD is one of the designated car parks in the city with a capacity of 320 bays.

Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, who was at the park during the exercise said adequate notice was served to the squatters adding that the Assembly made the decision as far back as February 2, 2021, and had since followed up with a continuous announcement.

According to him, the last notice served on the squatters was on March 1, 2021, and that apart from the eviction markings on the structures, the assembly had engaged the squatters on several occasions.  

He noted that the exercise had become necessary due to the congestion at the park stressing that illegal structures, some of which served as residential accommodation, shops as well as warehouses had occupied the entire area making it difficult for cars to park.

He urged all persons doing business or selling at unauthorised locations to move away from those areas to avoid forced eviction.

The exercise is expected to be extended to other parts of the city where unauthorised structures have sprung up.