Residents of Gyetiase, Tadieso and other communities in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region, have staged a protest over the inadequate road infrastructure in the area.
They blame the blaming successive governments for neglect.
The predominantly farming communities are aggrieved by the challenges they face in accessing health care services in Asante Mampong and Nsuta, due to the poor conditions of the road.
This has discouraged teachers and health care workers from accepting postings in their communities thereby exacerbating the situation.
Farmers are also struggling to transport farm produce to the various market centers, hence negatively impacting their agricultural business.
Prince Dwomoh, one of the leaders of the protest says the situation is taking a significant toll on all aspects of development in the area.
He said “we produce a lot of cassava, plantain and groundnut, but due to the poor conditions of the road, when we harvest our crops the remain in the farmland and decay, we can supply foodstuff to the nearby market but we can’t because our road is bad”.
He further cautioned the Government to act immediately to their request else they will boycott the December polls.
“We are tired of the bad state of our road, this road has been in this state since Ghana gained independence. We have not experienced any development with the promise of this current government. We demand our share of the national cake”.
Another protestor said “our road is a burden to us, pregnant women struggle while using this road to Mampong to seek antenatal care, due to the road they face a lot of discomfort and struggle. We always cast our votes when it is time to do so, the government comes around to assure us that our road will be worked on, but it has still been left unattended to”.
Residents in the area are facing challenges with transportation as drivers are refusing to operate on the roads.
This has made it difficult for people to travel to nearby towns.
Teachers and nurses working in Gyetiase often find themselves stranded during heavy downpours, preventing them from reaching their workplaces.
According to residents, authorities of the area are all aware of the deplorable state of the road but remain adamant about the situation.
“The government should come and work on the road else we are not going to participate in this year’s election,”, one resident expressed.
By Obikyere Abigail Seyram
