The protest brought together around 20 communities from the two districts, including Kwabeng, Asankra-Saah, Agona Amenfi, Guavase, Dominase Nkwanta, Dominase, Agyakaa Manso, Daboase, and more.

Amid a significant police presence, protesters carried placards with messages that conveyed their frustration and disappointment.

Some of the messages read: “Wasa Needs Good Roads,” “Nana Addo, Why?” “Mr. DCE, Where Is the Contractor?” “No Tarred Road, No Election,” “Poor Roads Are Killing Us,” “Car Maintenance Cost Is Killing Us,” and “Lorry Fares Keep Increasing Every Day.”

The poor state of roads in Amenfi Central district is a significant concern as they are characterized by mud, potholes, and overgrowth.

This situation has given rise to challenges such as armed robbery, collapsing businesses, high transportation costs, and difficult travel conditions during the rainy season.

Pregnant women often have to deliver on these roads, and some are carried on makeshift wooden structures. The conditions have even deterred professionals like teachers from accepting postings in the area.

The situation has led the chiefs and residents of Amenfi Central District to feel neglected and aggrieved.

During a media address, Francis Agyapong, an organizer of the demonstration and the secretary to the Wasa Dominase Divisional Stool Lands, stated that since the district’s creation, residents have not witnessed the development of any tarred roads unless they travel to Sehwi Bekwai or Asanko.

Francis Agyapong emphasized that the opinion leaders and residents in Wass, particularly Amenfi Central, have made a resolute decision not to permit any electoral process in the district if the government fails to address their deplorable road conditions.

Meanwhile, some protestors shared personal stories with Adom News, illustrating the challenges they face due to the road conditions.

Drivers and car owners frequently endure the cost of purchasing new spare parts, encounter difficulties transporting goods like foodstuffs and cocoa, and face security threats from armed robbers due to the state of the roads.

Protestors appealed to the government for assistance, asserting that they would not permit any electoral process to occur in their area in 2024 if their road concerns are not addressed.

According to the residents, numerous demonstrations to get authorities to fix their roads have so far not yielded any positive results.

“This portion of the road was not mentioned in the budget. I don’t think the authorities have this road in mind. If they don’t fix the road, we won’t vote; No road, no vote! We are bent on this one and we are not going to allow anyone to campaign on our land,“ a resident fumed.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-Based Citi FM, the residents threatened another protest which would bring more residents to the streets to press home their demands.

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“Since we have been neglected for far too long, we are planning another demonstration but this time around, no car will move for a week” another resident hinted.

Residents in different parts of Ghana have for some time now raised concerns over the deplorable nature of roads in their area.

Ghanaians have resorted to series of demonstration to press home their demands over the deplorable road networks.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta declared 2020 as a year of roads with assurances of fixing all bad roads across Ghana.

According to the chiefs, the area, which is a leading cocoa producer area, is yet to see any major road construction.

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“We are going to hit the streets on Friday to express our displeasure over the bad nature of roads in our area. Most of our communities have now been cut off and blocked from major towns in the area,” the Odikro of Asuofiam, Nana Yaw Bii told the host of Adom FM‘s Dwaso Nsem Thursday.

Confirming the planned demonstration Nana Yaw Bii, said the bad roads were affecting cocoa production in the area as cocoa seeds rot away in the bush.

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“The stretch of the road from Mumuni to Samreboi which is the northern part is nothing to write home about so 21 chiefs under the Asankragwa divisional council are going to mobilise our people after which we will submit a petition to the District Chief Executive,” he said.

The chief added that the construction of roads in the area which is long overdue has now made the vicinity a hub for armed robbers.

ALSO READ: Audio: Chief threatens to boycott MMDCE election over bad roads

Friday’s planned demo, if successful, will add up to the series of protests against the government over bad roads in various parts of Ghana.