The Department of Urban Roads has revised plans for the Tema Community 3–Black Star Square Road project to reduce the impact of the expansion on historic buildings in Osu.
The earlier design for the expansion of the 28th February Road into a dual carriageway would have required the demolition of several structures, including historic properties associated with Osu’s colonial heritage.
Among the buildings identified for special consideration are Richter House, Lokko House, Reindorf House and Brown’s property. Property owners had raised concerns over the proposed demolitions.
Public Relations Officer of the Department of Urban Roads, Isaac Adjei Kwakye, said the department had reviewed the design after considering the concerns and urged affected property owners to remain calm.
Under the revised plan, the original 35-metre road expansion width has been reduced to 25 metres. Sections where cultural heritage structures are located will be narrowed further to 18 metres, with the aim of limiting the impact on the buildings.
The Department of Urban Roads has also worked with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board to provide guidance on how the road project can proceed while protecting the historic structures.
The Tema Community 3–Black Star Square project forms part of efforts to improve road connectivity along the Accra-Tema corridor. The changes are intended to allow the infrastructure works to continue while taking the historical significance of affected Osu properties into account.
