By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has assured drivers and traders at the Railways enclave near the Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) that their lorry station remains government property and will not be handed over to any private developer.
The assurance followed a protest by drivers and traders on Wednesday over claims that portions of the land were being sold off. Addressing the agitated crowd during a visit to the enclave, Mayor Allotey categorically dismissed the rumours, stating emphatically that no land transaction had taken place under his watch.
“As the Mayor of Accra, I have not sold any land to anybody. If anyone claims the land has been sold to him or her, they should bring the documentation,” he declared, stressing further that, “No one will take over your lorry station, not today or tomorrow.”
The Mayor disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had personally instructed him to reassure the drivers and traders of the government’s commitment to safeguarding their livelihoods. He added that any private developer who believed they had acquired the land should seek redress from whoever illegally purported to sell it.
“The President has directed that I convey the government’s position—this land belongs to the state. If someone claims to have bought it, they should go back and reclaim their money. No construction will be allowed here,” Mayor Allotey stressed.
He further urged drivers and traders to direct their concerns to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) or the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) rather than resorting to protests without engagement.
“I am the government’s representative in Accra. Bring your concerns to me first before taking any action,” he told the gathering.
A drivers’ representative later apologised for failing to consult the Mayor or the AMA before staging the protest. He acknowledged that the Mayor had no hand in any alleged sale of land and welcomed the government’s reassurance that the lorry station would be preserved.
The Railways-CMB enclave remains a critical transport hub in the capital, serving thousands of commuters and forming part of Accra’s urban food and transport chain.
