Railway workers resist KMA eviction order, demand consultation

Former and current employees of the Ghana Railway Company in the Ashanti Region have vowed to resist efforts by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to evict them from land they have occupied for several years.

The dispute follows the marking of structures in the area for demolition as part of a clearance exercise. The occupants have reportedly been ordered to vacate the site by December 31, 2026, but the affected workers say they were not adequately consulted before the decision was made.

The workers maintain that they are willing to leave if railway operations resume and a clear relocation arrangement is provided. However, they insist they will not move out immediately without clarification on the ownership and status of the land, as well as their future.

Former Principal Supply Officer of the Ghana Railway Company Ltd., Collins Mensah, said the occupants would remain on the land until a suitable arrangement was reached.

“We will not leave here. A TV station came here recently and told us that the government has not authorised anyone to sell the railway land,” he said.

Mr Mensah stressed that the occupants had no objection to leaving if the railway company needed the land for its operations.

“It is not that we are unwilling to vacate the area. If the railway becomes operational and new workers are employed, and we are asked to leave, we will be prepared to move out,” he said.

Meanwhile, some residents claim they were previously told that the railway land had been sold to a private developer for redevelopment.

One of the residents, Kofi Anwona, said the KMA had earlier instructed them to report to the Assembly and assured them that they would be informed of any developments and given sufficient notice before any eviction.

He said the subsequent marking of their structures for demolition, without the anticipated consultation, had left the occupants dissatisfied with the process.

Source: Myjoyonline