Personnel from the National Security, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service have arrested six people during a raid on the controversial China Mall construction site at Kenkey Factory in Koforidua for allegedly defying a stop-work order issued by the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
The operation follows reports that the Chinese developers had resumed construction work despite a directive from REGSEC to halt activities until agreed drainage improvement works in the area are completed.
National Security officials have since declared the construction site a restricted area and warned that anyone found loitering around the premises could face arrest. The site has also been cordoned off.
The latest action comes weeks after Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey led an inspection of the project and ordered work to cease over concerns about flooding and drainage challenges in the area.
According to information gathered, National Security operatives first raided the site around 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, during a heavy downpour and arrested a security guard who was reportedly the only person present at the time.
Officials said the developers had returned to the site after engaging the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Kwaku Boateng III, in an attempt to secure intervention to allow construction to continue.
However, security authorities maintain that the developers were required to complete reconstruction works on drainage systems in the area before resuming the project.
During a follow-up operation on Friday, June 12, security personnel arrested six workers found at the site. Several other workers reportedly fled into nearby bushes upon noticing the arrival of the security team.
Authorities also indicated that some of the Chinese developers locked themselves inside one of the buildings on the premises and refused to come out during the operation.
The China Mall project has attracted public criticism from residents and road users who claim the development is being undertaken on a riparian zone that previously served as a natural channel for stormwater from the Nsukwao stream and other waterways.
Residents argue that construction activities have worsened flooding in the area, particularly during heavy rains.
Prior to the commencement of the project, the developers reportedly entered into an agreement with REGSEC and the Koforidua Municipal Assembly to reconstruct a drainage system near the traffic-light intersection to improve water flow from the affected area.
Speaking on the matter, Eastern Regional National Security Coordinator Francis Annoh-Dompreh condemned what he described as the developers’ disregard for the stop-work directive.
He warned that the security agencies would not tolerate actions that threaten public safety, regardless of the nationality of those involved.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh also cautioned Ghanaian workers against returning to the construction site while the stop-work order remains in force.
