Residents and drivers in Akyem Aduasa, a cocoa-farming community in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region, have accused their Member of Parliament, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, failing to lobby for the repairs of their deteriorating road network.

According to the residents, despite the MP contesting for four consecutive terms and making numerous promises during campaign periods, the roads remain deplorable, leaving their needs unmet.

Speaking in a report filed by Onua TV, on March 10, 2026, residents stated that they have been neglected, and the poor infrastructure is not only damaging their vehicles but also strangling the local economy. They argued that although Akyem Aduasa is a major contributor to Ghana’s cocoa production, the community remains trapped in a cycle of dust and mud.

“We don’t see the need to vote anymore. Our MP is in his fourth term, yet he hasn’t been able to lobby for this road to be fixed,” one driver lamented.

Another added, “This is his fourth term, but the roads are still the same. He always promises us during campaign periods, but after the elections, nothing happens.”

Residents highlighted that those deep potholes and untarred roads have made transportation nearly impossible, directly affecting farmers and drivers.

Farmers struggle to transport produce to nearby markets, while drivers, faced with high risks of vehicle damage, have increased transport fares leaving farmers with little to no profit.

Non-motorable roads worsening transport challenges - Local government minister

Meanwhile, drivers report that their daily earnings are being swallowed by the constant need for expensive spare parts.

The frustration has now evolved into political defiance, with many drivers vowing to boycott future elections, citing a lack of representation in Parliament.

One driver even suggested a superstitious dimension to the situation, “I believe there is a spell on this road. Five different contractors have been awarded this project since 2017, yet nothing changes, even while roads in neighboring districts are being paved.”

Tensions recently escalated when drivers moved to officially increase fares. It took the timely intervention of the Chief of Akyem Aduasa, Osabarima Abrokwa Gyampem VI, to calm the situation and persuade drivers to rescind the decision for the sake of residents.

Residents are now calling on the government to treat the Swedru-Aduasa-Apoli road as a matter of national urgency.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH) is responsible for constructing and maintaining roads in Ghana, with Kwame Governs Agbodza serving as the minister.

The Ministry operates through three key agencies, the Ghana Highway Authority (trunk roads), the Department of Feeder Roads (rural roads) and the Department of Urban Roads (city roads).





AM/VPO

Did you know that there is a fort in Ghana that was not built for slavery? And did you know that it is in Elmina? Watch the story about Fort Jago here: