Editorial: Sparing the other slum

We did not want to believe the speculation that the Chief executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is unable to do onto the squatters in Sodom and Gomorrah what he did to those in Mensah Guinea – both in Accra.

Both share basic hygiene deficiencies. In fact, Sodom and Gomorrah outdoes its demolished counterpart in this regard, yet it has been spared; perhaps never to be touched.

That is the advantage of being in the good books of the government: regardless of the danger you pose to society and other inappropriate circumstances, the authorities would turn their attention from you.

We do not know what research went into the conclusion by some people that partisan considerations informed the demolition of Mensah Guinea and not a so-called effort at managing the overwhelming cholera in the city as spinners put out.

We do not have any quarrel with genuine efforts at controlling the spread of slums in the nation’s capital or even demolishing existing ones, provided this is done with adequate civility and alternative accommodation is provided the poverty-stricken squatters. We do have serious reservations, however, when it becomes obvious that those embarking on such destructions do so out of partisan reasons.

Sodom and Gomorrah is a favourite turf of the ruling party. They have made residents of the slum countless promises; the most important of which is an assurance perhaps that they would not be disturbed in their present location.

All the talk about their relocation to a new site – something the squatters despise is to throw dust into the eyes of the public.

And with time this has been proven to be true.

The squatters are ready to do the bidding of their benefactors. That is how come they supported Nii Lante Vanderpuije to undertake the many political aberrations in the constituency.

Be it as it may, we are concerned about the action taken by Okoe Vanderpuije in rendering the residents of Mensah Guinea internally displaced, even as the action fails to hold the cholera at bay.

We would like to know whether Sodom and Gomorrah would ever be demolished under an NDC government. In as much as they have a role to play in the political game plan of the ruling party, their stay is tied to the tenure of the government.

It would be interesting to find out the number of fatalities, if any, emanating from the cholera in Accra that is traceable to the squatters of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Indeed, juxtaposing the two would make interesting analysis and expose the hypocrisy that is the lot of the AMA boss.