Editor of the Republic Newspaper, Samuel Frimpong, has intimated that government has no plan for the aftermath of the demolition exercise set to take place in Budumburam Camp in the Central Region of Ghana. He stated that if the people in the area are actually criminals, displacing them will rather pose a threat to the nation.
He called for a plan that is well thought through, so the evicted persons can be easily be integrated into society. Mr. Frimpong explained that some of them have families in Ghana with some being married to Ghanaian nationals and as such, will face problems.
“We should sit down because we like doing things just anyhow. What is the plan for the place? I have heard some chiefs talk about the construction of schools and all that. The hundreds of thousands of people, where are they going? So, they should let us see the plan because I am not convinced that this whole thing has a plan. For now, I don’t see a plan for these people who are being evicted. We are talking about the place becoming a criminal hub and now we are releasing the criminals into the society and now they become another threat to society. So, they should give us proper reasons.”
Samuel Frimpong
·Population growth contributing to increased crime rate- Dr. Akenteng
·Police Administration to deal with violent crimes in Hotspot areas- ACP Kwesi Ofori
Other places should be demolished
Mr. Frimpong therefore urged those calling for the demolition exercise to consider a lot of things. According to him, if the demolition is taking place with reason being that,;it has become a hub for criminals, then other places should be demolished as well for having a similar tag.
He averred those concerns raised,;as to where these displaced persons will be after the demolition, are legitimate, adding that government shouldn’t pretend as though it had given the people notices to move out of the place.
“We sat down and witnessed Liberians trooping in the place in their numbers and even after 2010 when the camp was officially decommissioned, nothing was done. I don’t really subscribe to this whole thing about the camp going down in a day. I think this Budumburam issue is something that has been with us for a very long time and those who know that stretch can appreciate what is happening when you talk of the Budumburam camp. But why now? Why the sudden eviction notice?”
Samuel Frimpong
Police should curb crime in Budumburam
Also speaking on the demolition exercise, Editor of the Informer newspaper, Andy Kankam, asserted that if the reason for underpinning of the demolition exercise is to weed out some criminals believed to be in the area, the Police can do the needful by depending on intelligence to get the criminals out of the area.
“So, you say you are demolishing the areas, where are you taking them? These criminals that you are trying to contain, now you are letting them into society and the ramifications will be very dire.”
Andy Kankam
He suggested there should be a dialogue to deliberate on how to help the Police single out these criminals. He also urged government to treat the matter with finesse and be mindful of the approach it undertakes.
