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Residents of Esereso West lament over abandoned bridge.

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Residents of Esreso West in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region are voicing their frustration over an unfinished bridge in their community, calling for its completion.

The bridge, which is the only link between their communities, has been left incomplete for over a year, despite repeated pleas for assistance from authorities.

The poor construction of the bridge by Kofi Job Construction Limited has severely impacted the residents’ daily lives, especially during the rainy season.

The lack of a proper bridge has disrupted economic activities and made commuting difficult for the residents of Old Adagya and neighboring communities.

The community members have resorted to constructing a temporary bridge using wooden structures to alleviate the situation temporarily.

However, this makeshift solution is not sustainable, and the residents are urging the government to intervene and address the issue promptly.

Dominic Owusu, the assembly member of the electoral area, noted that the community’s concerns have been raised with the appropriate authorities multiple times, but no concrete action has been taken to resolve the problem.

He emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to ensure that the residents have access to a safe and reliable bridge.

The unfinished bridge not only hinders economic activities but also poses challenges for healthcare services and school children in the community.

The residents are calling on the government to prioritize the completion of the bridge to improve their quality of life and ensure their safety.

Commuters call on Contractor to Expedite The Completion of the Atafoa Bridge

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Residents of Atafoa and neighbouring communities have long grappled with challenges related to the road network connecting their areas, primarily due to the state of a critical bridge.

The residents have been urging the government to accelerate the completion of the bridge, given the significant vehicular traffic on the road.

Ghana has made notable progress in enhancing its road infrastructure nationwide.

However, there are still areas that lack adequate road facilities, leading to ongoing difficulties for residents.

A crucial bridge linking communities such as Atafoa, Ohwim, Amanfrom, and Asuofua in the Kumasi Metropolis has been a cause for concern due to frequent flooding during rainy seasons, resulting in tragic incidents.

The reconstruction of this bridge is currently underway to address the flooding issues and ensure the safety of residents.

While the reconstruction of the bridge is a positive step forward, it has resulted in increased vehicular traffic in the area, causing delays and affecting the productivity of employees who struggle to reach their workplaces on time.

Residents are calling on the contractor to expedite the construction process to minimize disruptions caused by the heavy traffic congestion.

The efforts of Asenso Boakye, the Member of Parliament for the Bantama constituency and Minister of Roads and Highways, in addressing the concerns of his constituents and leading the bridge reconstruction project have been lauded by the community.

KNUST Students express worry over unstable Wi-Fi connection on campus

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have raised concerns about the campus Wi-Fi system and its impact on their academic pursuits, urging the school management to address the issues promptly.

In an interview with Orange News, the students acknowledged the significant role the Wi-Fi system plays in supporting their studies, particularly in managing data usage.

However, they highlighted recent challenges that have been disrupting their educational experience.

According to them, the Wi-Fi connection in various halls, including the GUSSS hostels, is notably weak, requiring them to move closer to the routers to access a stable connection for online activities.

One student expressed, “The Wi-Fi at KNUST is unreliable, especially in the halls. It’s inconsistent and often lags when needed for academic tasks.”

Another student shared his experience, saying, “I opted for Hall 7 due to the presence of routers for school Wi-Fi access. However, I now struggle to connect my phone to the Wi-Fi in my room, relying on my laptop instead. Even then, connectivity issues persist during urgent project work.”

The Students identified the challenge of accessing quality Wi-Fi in certain departments, compelling them to move to specific locations for reliable connections to facilitate their academic responsibilities.

One student explained, “During my second year, I heavily relied on campus Wi-Fi for research. However, the new faculty site experiences connectivity issues, whereas the old weaving shed site offers better functionality. Consequently, my friends and I often relocate to the weaving shed for project collaboration.”

The students underscored the need for the school management to enhance the Wi-Fi system’s efficiency and strengthen connectivity.

They emphasized that the current difficulties in accessing and utilizing the Wi-Fi not only impact their studies but also lead to increased expenses on costly data bundles to complete academic tasks effectively.

Source: Bridget, Publishing Student, KNUST

KNUST Students appeal for Improvement in Shuttle Services

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are appealing to the school authorities to enhance the shuttle services provided on campus.

The students, who heavily rely on the shuttle rides for their daily commute to lectures, are facing challenges due to the insufficient number of shuttle buses and operational inefficiencies.

According to Kwasi Prempeh, a student residing in one of the GUSSS hostels, the current situation is dire, with only two shuttle buses servicing the route from Brunei to the Business School.

“You can be at the business school waiting for a brunei shuttle and in a space of one hour 4 to 5 commercial area shuttles would come with no sight of brunei shuttles and it gets worse in the afternoons,” he said.

This limited availability of shuttles is causing significant delays and inconvenience for students trying to reach their destinations on time.

Students have reported instances of overcrowding and unsafe conditions at the shuttle stops, with some individuals resorting to theft and harassment.

One frustrated student reported that she arrived at the shuttle area around 7 am and had to wait until approximately 8:09 am for the shuttle.

Upon finally arriving in class, the lecturer dismissed her from the lecture hall, leading her to express her dissatisfaction about how this incident has impacted her studies.

The lack of reliable and sufficient shuttle services is not only affecting students’ punctuality but also their safety and well-being.

Baaba Ghartey recounted a distressing incident where she was harassed while attempting to board the shuttle, highlighting the urgent need for improved security measures.

“One guy kept harassing me while we were all struggling to get on the bus. It was as if I had been his target for a long time and this was his only opportunity to do what he wanted to do,” she said angrily.

In light of these challenges, the students are calling on the school leadership and administration to address the issues surrounding the shuttle services and ensure that adequate and efficient transportation options are provided to meet the needs of the student population.

Source: Valentina Boateng, Publishing Student, KNUST

We Witness Road Accidents Every Week- Apatrapa Assembly Member

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

The residents of Apatrapa have raised concerns about a sharp curve on the main road network in their community, which has become a hotspot for accidents due to its location where three different road networks converge.


This dangerous curve has instilled fear in the residents, especially when it comes to the safety of their children using the road.
The road safety situation in Ghana is a matter of grave concern, with an alarming number of lives being lost to road accidents daily.
The Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) has reported that an average of six people lose their lives in road accidents each day in Ghana.


Further statistics from the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) indicate that In 2022, 2,373 people were killed in road crashes, while 15,690 were injured in 14,960 reported crashes.


The assembly member of the electoral area, Mr. Yaw Boakye Yiadom, noted that the increase in the number of vehicles using the stretch has led to a rise in accidents.
He explained that while there were initially no casualties, the situation worsened as the traffic volume doubled. Mr. Boakye Yiadom emphasized that the community witnesses road accidents every week, with the problem persisting for the past 8 months and continuing to claim lives.
The community is in dire need of assistance to prevent further loss of lives and ensure the safety of its residents.
In light of these ongoing tragedies, Mr. Boakye Yiadom is urgently calling on the government to intervene and address the road safety issues in Apatrapa.

Students in queues in Kumasi as voter registration exercise ends today

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Several students are still waiting in queues at some of the registration centres in Kumasi to register as new voters as the registration process nears its conclusion today.

The registration, which began on May 7 and was initially set to end on May 27, was extended by two days due to initial network challenges.

The Ashanti region leads all other regions with approximately 90,480 registered voters, accounting for 17.3% of the nationwide total, followed by the Greater Accra region with 74,420 individuals, representing 14.3% of the overall number.

Officials of the Electoral Commission who declined to speak on record say, they are optimistic all the long queues would be cleared by the end of the day.

Abdallah Seid, the Manhyia North Organizer of the National Democratic Congress, told Orange News that the registration process has been successful, except a few misunderstandings surrounding the ages of some of the registrants.

He also indicated that the process faced a few challenges earlier hence slowing the registration process.

He allegedly raised concerns about the registration of minors and people outside their constituencies by the New Patriotic Party.

In response, the NPP Deputy Youth Organizer for the Manhyia North constituency, Kennedy Mintah refuted the claims and criticized the NDC for alleging that the party is registering minors and individuals from outside the constituency. He emphasized that the NPP consistently follows proper procedures and is committed to upholding its reputation, therefore, it will not engage in any activities that could tarnish its image.

KNUST students express worry over high insecurity on campus

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Some students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have raised concerns about the high level of insecurity on campus.

They have reported incidents of theft where thieves confront students on their way to their hostels and demand money, laptops, and phones from them.

In an interview with Orange News, students expressed how the insecurity on campus is impacting their academic and social lives.

One of the students, Cudjo Blay Hee Jonah highlighted the lack of proper checks on people entering the campus, which he believes allows thieves to target students for theft.

Another student, Josephine shared her belief that security issues are negatively affecting student academics.

She mentioned incidents where students have been robbed and even injured, preventing them from attending classes for weeks.

She recounted a specific incident where a friend was stabbed and robbed of his phone and money.

On his part, Frank also raised concerns about the lack of security measures in certain areas of the campus, such as the new building near the College of Engineering.

He mentioned the absence of lighting and security posts in that area, making it risky for students to return to their hostels after studying at night, as thieves are known to target students using that route.

Source: Oliver Annan, Publishing Student, KNUST

Economic Hardship: Through the lens of the university student

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

The country’s recent trend of price increases has been persistent and consistent over the past few years, with extremely high inflation rates.

In December 2022, there was a 54.1% increase in the inflation rate, one of the highest the country has ever recorded.

This significant increase has affected the prices of items on the market, with the cedi depreciating alongside.

The government has attributed the economic downturn in Ghana to factors such as the Russia-Ukraine war and other external influences, leading to a continuous rise in the prices of goods in various markets.

The impact of the high inflation rate has been felt across sectors such as health, education, transport, and others.

The average Ghanaian is now struggling to afford healthcare, education, and even necessities like food.

For university students, excelling academically is a top priority. However, they are facing challenges due to the rapidly increasing unemployment rate and rising living costs on campus.

From exorbitant hostel prices to frequent hikes in school fees and the rising cost of essential items like food, students are feeling the financial strain.

After a two-week vacation break, students returned to school to find increased prices on almost everything they needed, including food items, transportation fares, and LPG.

This situation, resulting from a recent 25% inflation rate affecting diesel and petrol prices, has raised concerns among students as they now have to spend more than before.

For a student buying food alone, approximately 50gh would be spent per day, totalling 1500gh per month for three meals a day.

This amount does not include toiletries, transportation fares, and other necessary expenses. Cooking for oneself has become time-consuming and challenging.

The average university student’s monthly budget may look like this:

– Prepaid: 100gh

– LPG: 120gh

– Groceries with basic food items: 500gh

– Transportation: 200gh

– Miscellaneous: 100gh

The question arises: Can every student afford this amount every month?

As market prices rise and parents’ and guardians’ salaries remain stagnant, many are struggling to meet their wards’ basic needs.

To manage their finances, students have resorted to reducing the number of meals they eat, such as having only one meal a day or skipping meals altogether.

A common trend among students in managing their finances is to reduce the frequency of their meals: 1-0-1 (breakfast and supper), 0-0-1 (supper only), or the most popular choice, 0-1-0 (lunch only). Lunch is often delayed until late afternoon to sustain them until the following morning.

This not only affects their health but also impacts their academic performance.

Financial difficulties have led some students to run into trouble with school management for failing to pay their fees, causing stress and anxiety, especially during exam seasons.

This has contributed to a decline in mental health among university students, with an increase in attempted suicide and suicide cases over the past few years.

While some students find ways to make extra money, it is often not enough to alleviate their financial burdens.

Many are unable to work full-time due to their class schedules, leading them to rely on support from peers or engage in illicit activities to make ends meet.

Life for university students in Ghana is a constant struggle, with the pursuit of education intertwined with financial challenges in a tough economic climate.

KNUST Students lament over poor state of Ayeduase Inner roads

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

Residents of Ayeduase in the Oforikrom municipality of the Ashanti Region, including students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) living off campus, are lamenting the deplorable state of roads in their community.

The inner roads in Ayeduase, particularly the route from Ayeduase Gate to downhill towards Kotei and surrounding areas, have long been a source of frustration for residents.

Despite yearly appeals to authorities for road reconstruction, the situation only seems to deteriorate, leaving residents feeling neglected.

Students walking to classes on campus are especially affected, with complaints of dust accumulation on their attire during the journey.

Selasi Kwami, a KNUST student residing in Ayeduase, describes the inconvenience of constantly dealing with dusty feet and clothes, necessitating a change of footwear upon reaching campus.

“When I walk, my feet always get dusty. Some days, my clothes catch the dust from the road, so I always have to put my shoes in a bag and wear slippers. I then change into my shoes when I get to campus after cleaning up,” he noted.

The poor road conditions exacerbate during the rainy season, leading to flooding in some areas and further hindering movement.

Teaching Assistant Evans Korletey notes the challenges faced by residents and students alike, emphasizing the impact on daily life and transportation.

Drivers also bear the brunt of the road conditions, with commercial drivers forced to increase fares to cover vehicle maintenance costs resulting from frequent damage.

The pervasive dust poses health concerns for residents, who inhale it daily, while vendors struggle with keeping their items clean amidst the dusty environment.

Residents are urging local leaders and the Student Representative Council to escalate their plea to higher authorities for urgent intervention in addressing the road infrastructure issues in Ayeduase.

Credit: Franklina Eyram Blege, Publishing Student, KNUST

A/R: Fire ravages four shops at Ayigya

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

A devastating fire broke out in Ayigya, located in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The incident occurred at approximately 7pm on Monday, triggering a rapid response from emergency services.

Multiple fire engines, including units from Chirapatre, KMA, and Manhyia stations, were swiftly dispatched to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.

DO2 Nicholas Poku Antwi, overseeing regional operations at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), confirmed the coordinated efforts of the fire teams in tackling the inferno.

Due to the unavailability of the nearest fire tender at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), additional pumps were called in to assist in extinguishing the flames.

Despite the intensity of the fire, there were fortunately no reported casualties.

The cause of the fire remains shrouded in mystery, prompting authorities to launch a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the destructive incident.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the fire, DO2 Nicholas Poku Antwi emphasized the successful salvage of valuable items from the affected shops, outweighing the losses incurred.

He reassured the public that no injuries were sustained during the ordeal and highlighted the importance of conducting further assessments, including excavation, to determine the exact origin of the fire.

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