Erected walls as part of the re-development of the defunct Tema Meridian Hotel have been collapsed for the third time by some irate youth of Tema over what they describe as the “indiscriminate” sale of a site with deep cultural and historical significance to a private developer.
The protesters are demanding the site be returned to the stool which they claim is their ancestral home.
The Quayes have lived close to the iconic hotel for more than 20 years, and Ethel Quaye who is now 48 years old is privy to every story surrounding the landmark.
Her grandfather gave her all the essential history there is to know. “When we were growing up, my grandmother told me about this Baobad tree deeply rooted in the middle of the site where during the days of construction of the hotel, the contractor who had cut it down came back next day to meet it planted again,”. Ethel recounted.
She further complained about how junkies dump refuse they have transported from far to dump at the site.
The hotel, which was commissioned by the first President, Osagyeto Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in 1960, is now a pale shadow of itself.
It has become a hideout for miscreants and a place of convenience for several households without toilets.
The facility has also been turned into a refuse dumpsite by some people.
Irate youth of Tema are protesting the alleged sale of the site to a private developer. For the third time, a fence wall constructed for the redevelopment has been demolished.
President of the Tema Youth Association, Abraham Adjei Tawiah, emphasized that the protest is for the sake of prosperity adding that generations unborn should not be denied the culture and history of their roots.
Dates of its alleged sale have been contradictory. For the indigenes, this is a site that needs to be preserved.
Authorities, however, want some development brought to the community.
It remains to be seen whether a fine balance can be achieved in reaching a common goal, only time will tell.
By George Kwaning
