Residents of Adjikpo-Okper in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region have threatened to block the Somanya-Asitey road if the contractor fails to widen a sharp curve they say poses a serious danger to motorists and pedestrians.

The residents, led by the Assembly Member for the Adjikpo Electoral Area, Emmanuel Wortey, say the section is too narrow to allow two vehicles to pass safely at the same time, particularly when heavy-duty tipper trucks use the road.

They are demanding that work on the affected section be temporarily halted to allow for the demolition of parts of nearby structures and the widening of the road.

The protesters, who wore red armbands to signify their displeasure, said they were not opposed to the road project but wanted the contractor to address what they described as a potentially dangerous design before the project is completed.




‘We will block the road’

One protester warned that residents could take steps to prevent motorists from using the road if their concerns were ignored.

“We want the Krobo people to know that we are not against the construction of the road, but if they will not listen to what we are saying, then we will block the road and prevent the drivers from using this road so they do not kill our children,” the protester said.

The warning comes amid concerns that the narrow section could become particularly hazardous once the road is fully opened to traffic.

Residents say the problem is worsened by the frequent movement of large limestone-hauling trucks from the Odugblase mines along the corridor.

Assembly Member demands intervention

Emmanuel Wortey said the community had raised concerns about the section with the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders but had yet to see the necessary changes.

He said the sharp curve at Okper was particularly problematic because of its limited width.

“The issue is our road at Okper is becoming too narrow. Two vehicles can never pass through,” he said.

According to him, the community had approached some property owners whose structures are close to the road, with discussions underway to allow parts of the structures to be demolished to create additional space.

He said the community had also sought the intervention of the Assembly and the Member of Parliament to get the contractor and engineers to temporarily suspend work on the section while the issue was resolved.

Wortey said one of the affected property owners was expected to return to the community for further discussions with the Assembly and community elders.

‘We are not against the road’

A resident who identified himself simply as Roland stressed that the community was not opposed to the road project.

He said residents welcomed the construction because the road would improve transportation and economic activity in the area.

“We are not against development. Every community wishes that the community gets development. Getting this road is one of our greatest loves that we want. But all that we are saying is that we want the right thing to be done,” he said.

He said two old structures around the curve needed to be removed to create adequate space.

According to him, the owners of the structures had been approached and were willing to allow their properties to be demolished.

“We are pleading with the contractor to just give us some time because the second structure will be taken off. Once we demolish that space, the road will be cleared,” he said.

He added that the community considered the situation particularly dangerous because a heavy-duty truck and a saloon car could not safely pass each other at the location.

Residents want work to continue

Another resident said the community was not asking the contractor to abandon the project.

“They should just come and widen the area. We need the road, so if it is well fixed, it is for our benefit. We are not stopping them from doing their work,” she said.

A community elder also complained that residents should have been consulted before construction reached the affected section.

He said vehicles could not safely bypass each other at the curve and appealed to the Eastern Regional Minister to intervene.

Another woman claimed that a shop she owned had earlier been demolished to facilitate road expansion, but that the expected widening had not been done.

She warned that residents could stage a demonstration if the issue was not addressed.

Assembly Member urges calm

Despite the threat to block the road, Wortey urged residents and motorists to remain patient while efforts were made to resolve the matter.

He said the community had not attacked the contractor or disrupted construction but had approached the relevant authorities and stakeholders to find a solution.



He also appealed to motorists to exercise caution while using the road during construction.

“As we are lucky today to be getting a good road, drivers should exercise patience and drive carefully so that we do not have any accident. Our lives are precious,” he said.

Efforts to obtain a response from General Construction Limited were unsuccessful, as the site engineer was unavailable for comment.

The residents are now awaiting further discussions with the affected property owners, the Assembly and other stakeholders over the proposed demolition and widening of the section.

The Somanya-Asitey corridor forms part of the wider Somanya-Kpong road project being undertaken by General Construction Limited. Construction began in 2024 but stalled for several months before work resumed. The project has since progressed into road surfacing and other construction activities.