Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey has announced plans to provide free single-room accommodation for residents of Kofikrom, a squatter settlement at Avenor in the North Industrial Area, following a fire outbreak that destroyed several makeshift structures in the community.

The proposed housing project will replace the settlement’s predominantly wooden structures with permanent block buildings and provide improved sanitation, streetlights, walkways and tarred access roads, as part of efforts to make the community safer and more organised.

Mr Allotey announced the initiative during a visit to the area to inspect debris-clearing operations following the fire, which affected the settlement and adjoining industrial facilities, including parts of Duraplast.

Addressing residents, the Mayor stressed that the accommodation would be provided free of charge, warning that beneficiaries would not be allowed to rent out or sell the rooms.

“The land belongs to the government, and we are not going to sell anything to anybody. We are not going to rent it out to anybody,” he said, outlining the conditions under which the proposed facilities would be managed.

The Mayor said the redevelopment would involve rows of single-storey buildings containing individual rooms, with support from corporate institutions expected to help provide roofing materials and other essential infrastructure.

He also drew on his personal experiences growing up on the streets to explain his commitment to improving the living conditions of vulnerable residents.

“We all we dey a street top. The reason why I'm not scared of the street. I'm coming from the street. And the street never forgets,” he declared.

Mr Allotey, however, cautioned that the project would not give beneficiaries ownership rights over the land or the facilities. He warned that attempts to sell, rent out or exercise unauthorised control over the accommodation would not be tolerated.

He further warned that drug abuse, the sale of illicit substances and activities associated with gang leadership would have no place in the redeveloped community.

According to him, the project is intended not only to provide decent accommodation but also to promote discipline, security and peaceful coexistence among residents.

As part of preparations for the redevelopment, the Mayor directed residents to select five representatives to liaise with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly during consultations and the implementation process.

He expressed optimism that construction could be completed within a relatively short period, explaining that the proposed single-storey buildings would be less complex to construct than multi-level developments.

The proposed housing initiative follows the fire outbreak that left residents of Kofikrom dealing with the destruction of their makeshift homes and renewed uncertainty over their living conditions.

Although the project is expected to receive support from corporate institutions, details regarding its commencement, funding arrangements and completion date were not provided.

EA