Residents of Akuse in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region have staged a peaceful demonstration to demand urgent government intervention to fix the deplorable Akuse-Amedeka-Asutsuare road. The demonstration, dubbed the “Akuse Bunyuku (Dust) Demonstration,” brought together farmers, commercial drivers, fisherfolk, youth and other residents. They said the condition of the road was affecting economic activities and livelihoods. The road has become riddled with potholes, erosion and poor drainage, making transportation difficult and increasing the cost of moving farm produce to market centres.
The protesters presented a petition addressed to President John Dramani Mahama, with copies also sent to the Deputy Minister for the Interior and Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, and other regional and local authorities. The petition highlighted the challenges facing residents and the economic importance of the Akuse-Amedeka-Asutsuare enclave. The area hosts major agricultural and aquaculture activities, including commercial banana plantations, rice farms and tilapia production.
According to community advocate, Mr Raymond Vorledzi, the demonstration aimed to draw the government’s attention to the challenges facing residents. He stated that the poor road network had resulted in frequent vehicle breakdowns, high transportation costs and delays in moving farm produce to market centres. Mr Vorledzi appealed to the government to direct the Ministry of Roads and Highways to award the road on contract and commence construction without delay.
Mr Nana Kofi Aboagye, a former Assembly Member for the Salom Electoral Area, criticised the area’s Member of Parliament for not doing enough to raise the issue. He indicated that the road was first constructed in 1992 under the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings but had since deteriorated significantly. Mr Aboagye expressed concern about what he described as inadequate attention to the road by successive governments.
The residents also expressed frustration over the absence of visible construction activity following a sod-cutting ceremony for road works in the area led by Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey about a month ago. They appealed to the government to ensure that construction commenced without further delay. The deteriorating road continued to impose hardships on residents, farmers and businesses operating in the area.
The Akuse-Amedeka-Asutsuare road is crucial for the local economy, with the area providing employment and contributing to the national economy through agricultural and aquaculture activities. The poor road network has hindered the growth of these sectors, with residents calling for urgent action to address the issue. The government has been urged to invest in the road network to expand agriculture and create jobs for Ghanaians.
The demonstration ended with a call for the government to take immediate action to fix the deplorable road. Residents vowed to continue to push for the construction of the road until it is completed. The government has been urged to prioritize the road network to alleviate the hardships faced by residents and to boost economic growth in the area.
Key points
- The Akuse-Amedeka-Asutsuare road has deteriorated significantly since its construction in 1992.
- The poor road network has resulted in frequent vehicle breakdowns, high transportation costs and delays in moving farm produce to market centres.
- The government has been urged to direct the Ministry of Roads and Highways to award the road on contract and commence construction without delay.
