The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, Dr. Agnes Adu, has dismissed allegations that the 2020 demolition at the Trade Fair site was politically motivated.
In an interview with an Accra based TV station, Dr. Adu, noted that the company’s decision to demolish structures on its land stemmed solely from a strategic need to redevelop the area, not from any intention to target specific businesses or individuals based on political affiliations.
In 2020, several businesses occupying land at the Trade Fair site were issued a six-month notice to vacate in light of redevelopment plans. Following the notice period, forced evictions were carried out to clear the site. Dr. Adu maintained that these measures were part of the company’s commitment to revitalizing the trade fairgrounds, ensuring they met modern standards. The CEO stressed that the company had cleared all tenants from the land, regardless of political association, reiterating that no preferential treatment was extended to any group or individual.
The redevelopment initiative, she explained, was necessary due to inadequate infrastructure at the site. The original structures, dating back to 1967, had deteriorated significantly, lacking the capacity to host sizeable conventions or business events. Many buildings were either too dilapidated or consisted of makeshift containers and blocks that no longer met acceptable standards for business or tourism use.