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HOLD for 6PM -- Fears for Livelihoods Over Fishing Harbor Demolition in Ghana

Stacey Knott

   ACCRA - Demolition of Accra's iconic James Town fishing community began
   late last month, to construct a China-funded multi-million-dollar
   fishing harbor.'¯Local authorities pulled down over 300 temporary and
   permanent structures, including businesses, a school, and places of
   worship in the largely poor, densely populated area.'¯While many are
   excited about the prospect of development, the demolition has also
   raised fears for already precarious livelihoods.

   Rubble is all that's left of a brightly colored playground in Accra's
   James Town fishing community that children once enjoyed before it was
   demolished in May.

   The demolition by a Chinese government-funded project fulfills years of
   promises by authorities to upgrade the harbor.

   Through their NGO, Naa Borkor Quartey and her husband Emmanuel fed and
   supported local children in sports, education, arts and child rights.
   They also offered skills training and housed about 50 children.

   The JayNii Streetwise Foundation had previously been told it would be
   excluded from demolition. However, with very short notice, its
   buildings and playground disappeared.

   "These are children, for some of them, their parents, it's hard for
   them because in this community we don't have any work or a job for
   these women. They come here; they hustle to get food. Some of these
   kids, they stay the whole day without even food. So, we are here
   supporting the community," she said.

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