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By Clara Boadi Konadu
Squatters in Shiashie, a suburb of Accra are calling on government and other philanthropists to help provide bathrooms, washrooms and places of convenience for them.
According to the squatters, Shiashie has about 3,500 kiosks and uncompleted structures occupied by families and individuals, yet there are no public places of convenience within the area.
Madam Oforiwaa, a resident in the area, lamented to Clara Boadi Konadu that currently, they go into the bush anytime they need to attend to nature’s call and bath in wooden structures built by themselves, which are not suitable for women.
“Currently all we need is a suitable place of convenience, bathrooms and security to at least feel safe within this slum since we live here for now,” she pleaded.
The middle-aged woman, noted that, “Females, whether married or not, cannot go into the bush alone. You always need to go in the company of one or two friends anytime you want to attend to nature’s call, else you will either be raped or injured if you don’t yield to their demands.”
She recalled that there have been countless robbery and murder incidents in the area, hence, “Kids cannot be left to play within the vicinity, else the parent might come out to meet a lifeless body. Men are always robbed, stabbed or even killed.”
According to the squatters, they are in Accra in search of greener pastures, but they have realized that it is not the land flowing with milk and honey they expected. Hence, they sleep in kiosks, while others perch in drinking bars and food joints.
Madam Oforiwaa stated that, many of them have employable skills, including those who have learned a trade but lack the wherewithal to set up their own businesses.
She explained that they find themselves in such unpleasant structures because they can’t afford the expensive rent charged.
Madam Oforiwaa revealed that although some of her colleagues occupied the structures at no cost, she and her family had to pay an amount of GHC100 a month for one year. They all got there by referral through friends or relations, and erected their wooden structures.
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