AveMaria asks GPHA to remove road blocks from its entrance

Customers of the AveMaria Beach Resort in Tema were this weekend prevented from accessing it by security guards of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

They had mounted roadblocks at the entrance ostensibly to prevent vehicular movement to and fro the resort forcing customers including the disabled to walk.

Mrs Teresa Efua Ntim, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the resort, told the Ghana News Agency that she had a distress call from her security guards that agents of the Authority had moved to the entrance of the resort with objects to block it from the public in the early hours of Saturday.

“I drove to the place and was prevented from driving into my property and when I asked them who gave them the authority to do so, I was told the order came from above.”

She said after the experience, she went to the Regional Police Command for help but was directed to the Community Two Police Station where she was told that the Police could not help her.

According to Mrs Ntim, the action of the management of the GPHA was baffling since she had not been informed of any arrangement to block access to the resort.

Some customers who spoke to the Ghana News Agency described the action by GPHA as “out of order” and called for a way to prevent it from escalating.

Mr James Scott, an African American tourist, said GPHA’s action did not speak well of investment opportunities in Ghana.”

He said President John Mahama always eloquently woo investors from all parts of the World to the opportunities in Ghana but if a local investor could be treated this way, then “I think your President is wasting his time.”

“Africans must treat each other with dignity and respect before other races would see us as real human beings. This kind of action is a sad commentary on investment in Ghana,” he said.

The Police and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority have refused to comment on the issue.

Ave Maria Holdings acquired the property in May 2002 and has upgraded and added many more facilities making the Resort an International Tourist Hotel, Conference Centre, Sport and Entertainment Venue, and Health Spa destination.