Despite residents’ pleas and numerous demonstrations to draw attention to the poor state of their roads, no improvements have come.

The angry residents issued the warning during a road rehabilitation initiative led by the MP for the area, Ernest Norgbey on January 25, 2024.

Residents explicitly warned politicians to refrain from political campaigns until the roads are fully rehabilitated.

Francis Azorliade, a resident, asserted that, “If they neglect Ashaiman’s roads, no political party should dare to campaign here. We are prepared to sacrifice for our people.”

He added, “Our message goes out to the NPP, NDC, PPP, and all political parties: Address the roads in Ashaiman, or refrain from campaigning here, period!”

A 38-year-old mother of three and a petty trader along the VALCO Flats to Lebanon road highlighted daily struggles with dust due to the deplorable state of the road. She lamented, “They only pay attention during elections; hence, we’ve decided not to vote.”

The high levels of air pollution, discomfort faced by the motoring public, and hours of gridlocks endured by Ashaiman residents prompted MP Ernest Norgbey to initiate the reshaping of four kilometres of the most deplorable portions of the over 160 KM road network in the municipality.

During the road reshaping, MP Norgbey said, “I have received numerous complaints about the deplorable state of the roads. I feel their pain, having used these roads myself. Despite demonstrations and raising the issues in Parliament, the assembly and government remain unresponsive.”

“I cannot sit idly while my people suffer, so I have decided on a temporary reshaping of four or five kilometers of the road. I hope and pray that when the NDC government assumes power, the 166 km of roads in the municipality will be tarred,” assured Ernest Norgbey.

Responding to residents’ concerns about the ban on politicians campaigning in Ashaiman due to the deplorable state of roads, Norgbey believes the NDC should be an exception.

He urged residents to direct their anger toward the sitting government, emphasising the denial of Ashaiman’s share of the national cake. Norgbey encouraged residents to listen to him and John Dramani Mahama, promising action if the roads remain neglected.

Residents have pledged to disrupt any electoral process if the state of roads does not improve before the general elections later this year.

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According to him, the constituency has had its fair share of roads under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

Speaking on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, Dr Jalulah, who doubles as Pru West MP, said a 22-kilometre road project out of the 166 kilometres in the area which was inherited from the John Mahama administration has been completed.

However, he admitted that no new road project had been started.

His justification was that Ashaiman, like all the other constituencies, is in need of roads, but due to scarce resources, government cannot provide all of them.

“My checks at urban roads revealed we have finished all the roads, so they have had their fair share. From Ashaiman roundabout to the market and Kpone Katamanso, we came to meet the project ongoing and did all,” he said.

The deputy Minister’s comment was in reaction to claims by Ashaiman MP, Ernest Norgbey that the NPP has abandoned its road projects because it is an NDC stronghold.

Mr Norgbey said all attempts to get the road fixed have proved futile, the reason some constituents took to the streets to protest a few weeks ago.

But Dr Jalulah stated the claims are not true.

To him, the concerns are legitimate but government is cash trapped.

“We can’t construct all the roads at the same time. It is not true we diverted any roads. Even in NPP strongholds, we have not constructed roads so why will he say it is because Ashaiman is an NDC stronghold? It is unfair and not true for anyone to say that. For what reason will we divert the project? he shouldn’t incite the people against government,” Dr. Jalulah cautioned.

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The angry residents have accused government of neglecting them in the Year of Roads project.

Distraught drivers and residents who shared their frustration on The People’s Forum, a segment on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, said the government has taken them for granted.

According to them, relevant authorities have turned a blind eye to their plight despite numerous protests and media engagements to drum home their demands.

They added that, the trenches-riddled roads are unmotorable though they connect to the Kpone-Katamanso constituency, Oyibi, Santeo and other areas.

A Unit Committee member in an interview alleged the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) deceived them into voting for them in 2020 and promised to fix the roads.

That promise, he said has not seen the light of day despite efforts by the Kpone Katamanso Member of Parliament, Joseph Akuerteh Tettey.

He contends that, Ashaiman and Kpone-Katamanso constituents are taxpayers who also deserve good roads.

They have, therefore, called on the government to, as a matter of urgency, fix the roads. They also threatened to boycott the 2024 election if their concerns are not addressed.

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