The Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso West, Dr Michael Mensah, says the structure recently mounted beneath the East Legon overpass is temporary and does not amount to a permanent building.
His clarification comes after the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, directed an immediate halt to the project on February 9, citing public safety concerns and possible breaches of regional spatial planning rules.
Speaking on Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Dr Mensah explained that the Assembly had earlier approved a permit for the underpass area to be developed into a car park and support facilities, including a fire service post, washing bay, and police post, mainly to help manage visitor parking in the area.
According to him, officials from the Urban Roads Department presented their concept for the space to the Assembly before the permit was granted.
“They came to the Assembly with their plans for the space under the flyover and made a presentation. Based on that, approval was given. One key condition was that the applicant must liaise with Urban Roads on the final design,” he said.
Dr Mensah noted that what currently exists at the site is a platform meant to hold a glass office structure that has already been imported into the country. He stressed that regulations do not allow permanent construction under a flyover.
“You cannot build permanently under the flyover. What is allowed is only a temporary structure,” he stated.
He added that concerns were raised after it emerged that the applicant did not fully comply with the requirement to coordinate with Urban Roads on the final design and layout.
The MCE assured the public that no permanent building has been put up beneath the overpass and emphasized that all developments in such sensitive spaces must strictly follow safety and planning regulations.
He also confirmed that the permit granted for the redevelopment of the space into a car park and related facilities has since been revoked.