The piece of land, popularly known as the Sakasaka Park, is near the Ashaiman Toll Plaza and when fully developed would provide over 2000 jobs to the residents of Ashaiman.

The Protocol and Administrative Officer of TDC, Mr Ian Okwei, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic, said the industrial and commercial hub met the TDC’s land use policy for the area.

He was reacting to concerns raised by some youth groups in the Ashaiman Municipality who held a demonstration last Monday, July 22, 2019 and accused the Ashaiman Assembly of illegally allocating the land which currently serves as recreational grounds, as well as a scrap yard.

However, in a rebuttal, Mr Okwei explained that the said 60-acre land, which is within the TDC’s acquisition area, had been allocated to Sentuo Group Ltd for the development and construction of a modern industrial and commercial hub under the government's 1D1F private-driven programme.

Development needs

He said the industrial and commercial hub would include a modern truck and bus terminal and shopping malls to serve the industries within the enclave.

"The land was allocated to Sentuo Group Ltd in August 2018 after the company had undergone the necessary permitting processes under the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly.

"TDC took into consideration the required land space for the motorway expansion project, setbacks, requirements and other service lines in the area prior to the land allocation," he added.

Swamp

The Sakasaka Park is in the heart of the Ashaiman Municipality. It is located near the Ashaiman Toll Booth Plaza on the Accra -Tema Motorway.

On a normal day, the park and its surrounding area is swallowed by filth with some residents around the area turning portions of the park into a dump site.

A scrap yard is close to the park and occasionally, scrap dealers resort to burning of car tyres to get the metal linings but the redevelopment into an industrial and commercial hub will transform the park into a modern complex, while providing jobs for the teaming youth of the area.