Several squatters living in the Old SEKCO building at Ekuase within the Sekondi Metro have been evacuated.
The exercise was carried out this morning, around 10 a.m., with security personnel ensuring the smooth exercise. Windows, doors, and louvre blades were destroyed.
The structure was originally built to house students of Sekondi College, but individuals coming from far and near have turned the dilapidated and worn-out structure situated in the Ekuase community into their homes against warnings by the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, STMA to vacate the building.
The structure is being used despite its terrible state.
There were various forms of cracks and leakages; the iron rods were exposed and rusted, and wires were also exposed.
Some of the evacuees spoke to Beach News, at the back of the evacuation exercise, and bemoaned financial constraints as a major challenge that is hindering them from moving out of the building.
According to them, they asked for an extension of time to enable them to search for a place to reside but authorities did not heed their pleas.
A resident, Auntie Akosua said, ” Government officials should have mercy on us because we are also Ghanaians. This impromptu evacuation has made me devastated. Now, I don’t know where to go with my 8 children. So we are pleading with government officials to have mercy on us and give us some more time to vacate.”
Another resident noted that she has no intention of leaving the building, even though the demolishing is taking place.
“Even if they demolish the building, we will still sleep here because I don’t know where to go with my children to sleep. We called on the Regional Minister to help us by getting a place for us to sleep because we don’t have anywhere to sleep apart from here and we voted for him too.”
