Correspondence from Eastern Region

Pressure groups in the Krobo area of the Eastern Region have temporarily postponed their planned demonstration, originally scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025, regarding the deplorable conditions of the Somanya-Kpong and Somanya-Asitey roads.

The highly publicized protest, initially intended to demand urgent governmental intervention on these long-neglected thoroughfares, has been suspended following a meeting on Monday between the Eastern Regional Minister and the organizers.

Reconstruction of the Somanya-Kpong and Somanya-Asitey roads commenced in June 2024. The repair of the 15.7 km Trom-Kpong facility, which had been constructed in 2016, has become imperative due to its complete deterioration over a remarkably brief period.

The road, asphalted in 2016 under the previous NDC administration, began to deteriorate merely two years later, leading to severe sectional asphalt failures that have left residents, commuters, and road users exasperated.

Addressing the press after a two-hour meeting involving the Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) for Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo, as well as pressure groups Kloma Hengme, Kloma Gbi, and Concerned Citizens of Kroboland, along with heads of security institutions and various stakeholders at the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Awatey reassured the populace that reconstruction efforts would recommence by the first week of October this year.

This assurance, she noted, aligns with the president’s directive for contractors to resume work on all stalled road projects nationwide.

“His Excellency the President has just ordered all contractors to return to the sites. In the meantime, we have negotiated with Kloma Hengme and their allied youth group [Kloma Gbi] to postpone the demonstration while we undertake various measures,” stated the minister.

The prevailing dusty conditions have rendered many residents vulnerable to potential health hazards. To mitigate the impact of the dust, the minister instructed the two MCEs to ensure that the roads are regularly watered in the interim.

In anticipation of the October assurance, the regional minister indicated that regular meetings would also be convened with the roads minister to ensure that work resumes as swiftly as possible.

Chairman of Kloma Hengme, Dr Eric Lawer, expressed to the press that the groups had collectively agreed to suspend the planned protest following the assurances from the regional minister.

He emphasized that the organizers’ primary intention of drawing governmental attention to the situation and seeking specific timelines had been fulfilled.

He remarked, “The purpose of this protest was to attract national attention [to the state of the road]…the regional minister has confirmed that the president has authorized contractors to return to work…they’ve provided a maximum timeframe of the first week in October.”

According to him, it is only just fair to allow the authorities the opportunity to fulfill their commitments after “proactively” addressing the demands of the groups.

“It is only fair that we suspend the protest to allow that time to elapse. We can assure you that if by the first week of October the contractors are not on the roads, we will have no alternative but to proceed with the protest.”

Meanwhile, several residents who had previously voiced frustration over the situation and expressed readiness to support any group organizing a demonstration to draw governmental attention have exhibited mixed reactions to this new development.

Mabel, who operates a shop along the dusty road in Somanya, lamented that she was fully prepared for the demonstration.

Expressing her disappointment, particularly due to the unbearable dust, she stated, “I’m extremely disappointed; the situation is exposing us to numerous diseases, the dust even enters our mouths, and October feels excessively far away.”

A trotro driver echoed his frustration, noting that the conditions have led to frequent damage to vehicle parts, necessitating costly replacements. He urged the government to fulfill its October promise to alleviate the plight of the residents.

Similarly, a pragya driver, Nicholas Osei, conveyed his sentiments and called for prompt action.

A resident named Stephen expressed hope that work would recommence soon, following the president’s order for contractors to return to site.

Numerous individuals and groups, including traditional leaders, have openly articulated their concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the stalled road works over the past seven months since the current government assumed office, threatening to protest by obstructing the roads.

The Project Manager at Generals Construction Limited, responsible for the two projects, Billy Brigham Deku, attributed the situation to a lack of government funding, adding that the company anticipates financial support from authorities to expedite progress.

He indicated that although Generals Construction Limited has pre-financed the cost of the works thus far, efforts made under both the previous and current administrations to secure payment have proven fruitless.
Reconstruction efforts are projected to be completed within two and a half years; however, delays in the disbursement of funds could significantly derail the work schedule.