The Western Region struggles with deplorable road infrastructure.
There is substantial evidence that the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the entire Western Region struggle with infrastructure development, especially in the area of excellent roads.
As a region whose motto is "The best comes from the West" and which contributes the largest share of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is reasonable to presume that infrastructure development projects are proceeding smoothly.
However, the exact opposite appears to be the case, as the deplorable condition of its roads is an embarrassment for a region wealthy in natural resource minerals such as gold, diamond, manganese, and oil, among others.
The region's infrastructural problems, which include poor inner city roads, deplorable highway roads, and mountainous garbage dumps, among others, appear to have driven the locals to give up hope.
Each of the sixteen municipalities and districts faces the challenge of repairing deplorable roadways in some fashion.
This edition of Western File aims to shed light on the deplorable condition of roads throughout the region.
ROAD MPOHOR ADUM BANSO
It is one of the region's Districts, and its capital is Mpohor. It was carved out of the former Mpohor Wassa East District and is 19 kilometres from the Takoradi Agona Nkwanta road. One characteristic of the District is the deplorable condition of its roads. There is not a solitary asphalt or bitumen road in the District.
To say that the primary road to the capital, which is approximately 16 kilometres from the main Apowa-Agona Nkwanta highway, is in deplorable condition would be generous. Recent precipitation has revealed the extent of the poor road that residents must use to transport farm produce and other products to Takoradi.
Shama leaders took to the streets to protest the inadequate road network.
There have been two sod-cutting ceremonies in 2018 to improve the road, but the condition has worsened since then. During this time, the entire stretch is inundated and vehicles are unable to use it.
The road from Mpohor to Adum Banso appears to be the region's worst and most deplorable. Recent precipitation has resulted in the closure of the road, rendering it impassable.
SHAMA
It appears that the residents of Shama are fired up with promises to improve their deteriorating roads. Recently, the chiefs were required to join drivers and executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in a demonstration to alert the world to the deplorable condition of the town's roads.
The roads from Shama Junction to the city and Kunfueku, among others, are riddled with craters.
Prior to the demonstration, the acting Shama Paramount Chief, Nana Kwamina Wienu II, met with the Regional Minister, Okyere Darko Mensah, and informed him of the deplorable condition of the town roads, pleading with him to do his best to find solutions.
However, after several months of silence, the chiefs and queenmothers took to the streets in protest.
Nana Akosua Gyamfiaba, the acting Queenmother of Shama, who participated in the demonstration, stated in an interview that all their appeals for authorities to assist them had fallen on deaf ears. According to her, they had a conversation with the roads minister and received a negative response.
John Amoh, an executive of the GPRTU, told the media that vehicles were suffering on all district roads and that they would demonstrate until their grievances were addressed, stating, "All of our roads are terrible. The government has deceived us to the point where there is not a solitary asphalt road in Shama."
TAKORADI TRANSFORMATION ROAD
This thoroughfare has become a nightmare for motorists. The road, which was constructed for provisional use by motorists following the abandonment of work on the three-tiered interchange, is now more perilous and a death trap than before.
The potholes are so deep and hazardous that drivers have abandoned the road in favour of the Vodafone Windy Ridge road. Inundation, craters, and gridlock are the order of the day.
Drivers and commuters, primarily from Apremdo, Kwesimintsim, Apowa, and Agona-Nkwanta, will have to endure the deplorable condition of the temporary road for the foreseeable future. Recently, the GPRTU Executives inspected the temporary road in response to complaints from passengers and vehicles, but everything indicates that it will remain in its current state unless a miracle occurs.
EWUSIEJOE ROAD
Within the Ahanta West Municipality is another dreadful road. Two heavy-duty vehicles have crashed on a portion of the deplorable Ewusiejoe roadway.
After nearly a year of having potholes, no effort has been made to restore this section. To make the road passable, only minor repairs are required, but it appears no one cares what drivers and commuters would have to endure.
A portion of the road from Kwesimintsim traffic lights to Apollo to Apowa St. Mary's road had developed potholes, making transportation difficult.
As motorists attempt to evade the potholes, traffic congestion results.