Avenor fire: AMA demolishes structures at Kofikrom

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), with support from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, has demolished unauthorised structures at Kofikrom in the North Industrial Area to open up access routes for emergency vehicles following a major fire outbreak in the area.

The exercise, carried out on Thursday, October 1, 2026, targeted wooden structures, makeshift shelters and other temporary structures that had encroached on portions of the road and made it difficult for fire tenders, water tankers and other emergency vehicles to reach parts of the settlement.

The fire, which swept through the Kofikrom settlement and affected parts of Duraplast, exposed the challenges posed by the structures, with emergency responders struggling to access some areas of the affected site.

However, AMA officials said the demolition was not an emergency response introduced solely because of the fire. The occupants had previously been directed to vacate the area and had been given a final deadline of May 19, 2026, to comply with the Assembly’s directive.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the structures had also been marked ahead of the exercise, but several occupants remained despite the warnings.

According to him, the fire outbreak demonstrated the consequences of allowing unauthorised structures to obstruct access routes, particularly within an industrial area where emergency vehicles must be able to move freely.

He said the AMA would clear the entire stretch and take steps to prevent the area from being reoccupied, stressing that roads and access routes in industrial zones must remain open for public safety and emergency response.

The Mayor acknowledged that such exercises could attract criticism, but said the circumstances surrounding the fire had reinforced the need to enforce the Assembly’s directives.

He explained that the objective was not simply to remove the structures, but to reduce the risk to lives, businesses and adjoining industrial properties by ensuring that emergency responders can reach affected areas quickly whenever incidents occur.

The 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces supported the AMA during the operation.

Its Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, said the military personnel were deployed to help clear structures that had impeded the movement of fire tenders and other emergency equipment during the fire.

He said the temporary structures had become a significant obstacle to firefighting and rescue operations, making it necessary to create sufficient space for emergency vehicles to operate.

Lt. Col. Amponsah explained that the military’s involvement is its disaster-response responsibilities and assured that personnel would continue to support relevant state agencies in efforts to keep the affected area accessible and safe.

The AMA has subsequently assured that measures will be put in place to prevent squatters from returning to the cleared areas and recreating the same access problems.