The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced plans to redevelop the old City Engineers building in the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District into a multi-purpose community centre for the people of Jamestown. 

Chief Executive of the  AMA, Mohammed Adjei Sowah said this on Thursday when he led a team of engineers from the Assembly's Works  Department to undertake a structural integrity audit of the buildings which served as office space for the Asheidu Keteke  Sub-Metro. 

He noted that it was the priority of the Assembly to save historical sites and buildings in the city hence the decision to redevelop the building since it serves some historical purpose. 

He said the redevelopment would factor the existing community centre into consideration and maintain existing units such as the art gallery, boxing arena, sewing centre, library, community homework centre and the multi-purpose court among others. 

He assured that in as much as the building would be used as a community centre, the element of tourism and culture would be considered in the redevelopment process to maintain its historical antecedent.  

"The plan is to save historical structures in the community, we want to save the City Engineers building because of the history behind it. The building is the first city planning office and it can't go to waste... We will bring on board the Ministry of Tourism," he said. 

James Town in Ghana’s capital, Accra, is home to many historical edifices including Ghana’s first hotel, the Sea View Hotel,  the Ussher Fort, one of the oldest in Ghana, as well as a lighthouse, the main fishing harbour of James Town and the James Fort Prison.