La Beach Towers: To demolish or convert? Residents are divided
Speaking to Asaase News, a group of young men said the building is too exposed for residents close to it; however, the government can take over the project and convert it into a factory or warehouse to create jobs
Twelve years ago, the 17-storey La beach towers gave off an air of luxurious seclusion amid a mysterious Atlantic Ocean location after it was unveiled.
Situated on a seven-acre seafront, the edifice is progressively decaying, revealing damage caused to the metallic equipment and tools that have badly rusted away.
How much of a threat is this abandoned building posing to the communities around it?
Building components like iron rods, metals, and others that are exposed to the sea breeze continually wear off and corrode due to the building’s location (near the sea), which renders the structure weak and a death trap.
For the indigenes, despite the danger it poses, the building should not be demolished but rather converted into an industrial facility to create jobs for the people.
Speaking with Caleb Ahinakwah, an Asaase 99.5 Accra’s reporter who visited the ground of the towers, a group of young men said the building is too exposed for residents close to it; however, the government can take over the project and convert it into a factory or warehouse to create jobs.
“The community gave access to an open market for traders and vendors close to the edifice, but the nature and fear of its collapse are driving people away. I think the government should convert the building into a factory or warehouse to give us jobs.”
For 26-year-old Isaac Tetteh, who dropped out of junior high school at age 19, getting a job out of the possible conversion of the 17-storey towers into a warehouse will help him make judicious use of his time.
“I help my sister prepare Kenkey, afterwards she gives some funds out of the profit she makes. At the moment I have no other sources of income. Unfortunately, I waste my time smoking, but a job will help me use my time properly”.
Contrary to news reports and rumours that have circulated that the 17-storey La Beach Towers building on the La Road in Accra may not be structurally sound, the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LADMA) said there was currently no evidence to suggest that the building would collapse.
Physical Planning Officer of LADMA, Anthony Mompi added that due to the nature of the development, further Environmental Protection Agency and Ghana National Fire Service reports on structural integrity and other matters would need to be done before any kind of work could resume.
Reporting by Caleb Ahinakwah in Accra
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