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
