In La, drivers and pedestrians suffer daily due to deplorable roads and the unfinished Kpeshie Bridge—an eyesore that has become a symbol of government inaction. Motorists are increasingly worried, as frequent trips to the mechanic have become the norm, while residents remain cut off and exposed to danger every time they use the road.
Four years ago, the Kpeshie Bridge was on the verge of collapse. It was temporarily reinforced with metallic plates to allow heavy trucks to pass. However, the road project was abandoned barely a year later, leaving the community to endure makeshift solutions that have lasted until today.
A recent visit to the stretch revealed just how bad things have become. There are no traffic lights, and the metallic plates are deteriorating rapidly. Corrosion, holes, and dents on the bridge cause serious safety concerns for drivers. These damages contribute to heavy traffic congestion, forcing some motorists to divert through alternative routes meant for travelers heading to Accra, Circle, and the 37 Bus Stop. What was once a temporary fix has now become a daily nightmare for drivers, passengers, and traders.
Residents, especially older women, complain of the physical toll. Many lament that the bumpy ride leaves them with back pain after long days of work. “This is not good for us after selling the whole day. We suffer too much on this road,” one trader said.
In interviews with drivers, frustration was evident. They echoed the same demand:
“Government, our Member of Parliament, and the La Municipal Assembly should fix the roads leading to the bridge or complete the project. It is dangerous to use this road. We are Ghanaians, and we do not understand why we have to beg before the right thing is done. This road has been like this since 2021, and though we keep talking about it, nothing has been done.”
Passengers also voiced their struggles, citing long hours in traffic, constant potholes, and reckless driving by frustrated motorists. “We arrive home with body pains and can hardly walk,” one passenger explained.
Even hawkers, who chase vehicles to sell goods or collect payments, say they are living in constant danger. “We risk our lives every day on this bridge. Government should fix it before it causes more accidents,” a hawker pleaded.
The people of La have endured enough. They deserve safe and reliable roads that connect them to opportunity—not broken bridges and potholes that endanger their lives. It is long past time for urgent action.
By Phoebe Marquaye
BACS26279
UNIMAC-IJ