Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ACCRA693
2009-07-21 10:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Accra
Cable title:  

SOLDIER BAR PARTIALLY DESTROYED

Tags:  KTIP PHUM XA XY GH 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAR #0693 2021014
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211014Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8038
UNCLAS ACCRA 000693 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIP PHUM XA XY GH
SUBJECT: SOLDIER BAR PARTIALLY DESTROYED

UNCLAS ACCRA 000693

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIP PHUM XA XY GH
SUBJECT: SOLDIER BAR PARTIALLY DESTROYED


1. (U) Part of Soldier Bar, a brothel in Accra known to have
employed child prostitutes was demolished by the Accra
Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on July 1. The brothel was made
famous over a year ago following an undercover report by an
investigative journalist who shot secret video footage of
girls as young as 14 engaging in sex for pay.


2. (U) In May 2009, the Chief Executive of Accra (also
called the Mayor) pledged to wage "a relentless war" on
illegally sited structures and to improve nighttime security
in the city as part of an overall economic and social
development in the capital. The demolition of the brothel,
which began shortly before midnight, included small shops and
kiosks selling food and drink that surrounded the brothel.


3. (U) The owners of the brothel partially demolished the
structures used for their operations in spring 2008, in order
to avoid complete demolition by the authorities, but it was
again fully operational by June of last year. In its latest
move, the AMA destroyed only part of the brothel and gave the
owners 3 days to clear out their belongings before the entire
structure is demolished. The ultimatum expired July 4, but so
far, the AMA has taken no further action against Soldier Bar.
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