The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has assured that effective construction work on the Marine Drive project will begin in June this year.

Reasons for the delay has been attributed to the slow evacuation of Ministries, Department and Agencies from the proposed site.

Speaking to JoyBusiness, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Akwasi Agyemang said the evacuation process is 70% complete and that work will commence in June 2019.

“The first thing to get out of the way was the various MOUs with the landowner, which has been done. Currently, more than seventy per cent of the land has been cleared. We had a lot of government offices there. We have managed to move them all to the Ghana house, and the only thing left is to relocate the Accra Arts Centre,” he explained.

The $1.2 billion project which is funded by the World Bank is expected to create over 15,000 jobs upon completion in 2027.

“Real construction work will hopefully begin in June. Many people are always asking, when will it start, when will it start. But thankfully, much of the land has been cleared and in June, real work will begin,” he added

However, since the government made its intentions to revive the then concept of the Nkrumah government, concerns have been raised over the fate of artisans at the Accra Arts Centre, (a market popular for the sale of made in Ghana items include art and fashion accessories) also located at the proposed site for the project.

Mr Agyemang allayed fears that these artisans would be displaced as the government has plans for them.

“There are over 1200 artisans operating in that enclave. And we have them in the plan for the Marine drive project. They will be relocated to a site at Kawukudi, in Accra, where they can continue their trade temporarily.”

“A memorandum of understanding has been signed with their leaders and they have agreed. Proper structures will be put in place for them as part of the project.”

About Marine Drive Project

The project, which is estimated to cost about $1.2 billion, is a Public-Private Partnership project expected to transform the beachfront stretch from the Osu Christiansborg Castle to the Arts Centre into a vibrant business and commercial enclave that will transform the city’s skyline, create jobs, spur tourism growth and boost the national economy.

The project, covering an area of over 240 acres, is located within the ministerial enclave that serves multiple functions. Given the already congested environment among other militating factors, this report presents issues that planning authorities might want to consider in the siting of this massive project in order to preserve the functions of the earmarked area.