There is strong evidence that the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the entire Western Region is struggling in terms of infrastructural development, most particularly in the area of good roads.
As a region that prides itself with the saying, ‘The best comes from the West’ and contributes the largest share of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), there is every indication to assume that everything is well in terms of infrastructural developmental projects.
However, the opposite appears to be the clear situation given the deplorable state of its roads is an apology of a region that is endowed with rich natural resource minerals like gold, diamond, manganese, and oil amongst others.
From bad inner city roads, deplorable highway roads to overwhelming mountainous refuse heaps amongst others, the problem of infrastructural challenges the region is faced and battling with appear to have pushed the residents to throw up their hands in despair.
Each of the sixteen municipal and districts is, in one way or the other, confronted with the challenge to fix deplorable roads.
This edition of the Western File seeks to throws the light on the deplorable state of roads in the areas of the region.
MPOHOR ADUM BANSO ROAD
It is one of the Districts in the region and the capital is Mpohor. It was carved out of the then Mpohor Wassa East District, and is approximately 19 kilometres off the Takoradi Agona Nkwanta road. One thing about the District is the deplorable state of its road. The District cannot boast of a single asphalted or bitumen road.
The main road to the capital from which is about 16 kilometers from the main Apowa -Agona Nkwanta highway to say is in deplorable state is being charitable. Recent downpours have exposed the extent of bad road which the residents have to use to cart farm produce and other goods to Takoradi.
Two times a sod-cutting ceremony has been performed in 2018 to put the road in shape, but, to date, the condition is worsening. The entire stretch gets flooded and vehicles are unable to use it during this period.
From Mpohor to Adum Banso appears to be the worst and most deplorable road in the region. A recent downpour has culminated in the blocking of the road making it un-motorable.
SHAMA
With the residents of Shama it appears they are fed up with the promises to put their bad town roads into good shape. Recently, the chiefs had to join drivers and executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to embark on a demonstration to let the world know how deplorable the town roads were.
From Shama Junction to the town and to Kunfueku amongst others the roads are riddled with potholes.
Prior to the demonstration, the acting Paramount Chief of Shama, Nana Kwamina Wienu II, had, in an engagement with the Regional Minister, Okyere Darko Mensah, revealed how deplorable the town roads were and appealed to him to do his best to find ways to fix them.
However, following several months of waiting without a response, the chiefs and queenmothers took to the streets to demonstrate.
The acting Queenmother of Shama, Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba, who took part in the demonstration, in an interview indicated that all their pleas for authorities to come to their aid had fallen on deaf ears. According to her, they had a discussion with the Roads Minister and the response they got was bad.
One of GPRTU Executives, John Amoh, told the media that drivers had been suffering on all roads in the district, and that they would demonstrate until their grievance were met, saying, “All our roads are bad. The government has been deceiving us, to the extent that there is no single road in Shama that is asphalt.”
TAKORADI INTERCHANGE ROAD
It has become a nightmare for those plying this road. The road, which was constructed for temporary use by drivers following work on the three tier interchange, which has been abandoned, now appears more dangerous and a death trap than before.
The potholes are so deep and dangerous to the extent that drivers have deserted it and resorted to using the Vodafone Windy Ridge road. Flood, potholes, traffic jams are the order of the day.
For now, it appears there is no way the temporary road would be put into shape, and drivers and commuters, mostly from Apremdo, Kwesimintsim, Apowa, Agona-Nkwanta, would have to endure the deplorable condition. Recently, the GPRTU Executives inspected the temporary road due to a hue and cry from passengers and drivers, but everything point to the fact that it would remain as it is until a miracle happens.
EWUSIEJOE ROAD
Another terrible road is located in the Ahanta West Municipal. It has seen two heavy duty trucks falling on a portion of the deplorable Ewusiejoe stretch.
Almost a year after that portion developed potholes, there has been no effort to repair it. The portion only needs dressing to make the road motorable, but it appears no one cares what drivers and commuters would have to endure.
That apart, from Kwesimintsim traffic lights to Apollo to Apowa St. Mary’s road, a portion of the road had also develop potholes, making driving a misery.
As drivers try to avoid the potholes, it culminates in creating traffic congestion.
