Residents of Ashaiman took to the streets today to protest against the deplorable state of roads in the municipality.
The poor road conditions, characterized by potholes and cracks, have become deathtraps for drivers and pedestrians who use the roads daily for their business activities.
Initially, a peaceful protest, the Fix Our Roads demonstration in Ashaiman turned violent on Tuesday, October 3. Protesters began pelting the police with stones during their march, resulting in injuries.
The trigger for the violent action is still uncleared, but one protester was arrested while a police officer sustained severe injuries.
The injured officer was quickly rushed to the Ashaiman Hospital for medical attention, according to Media General report.
The demonstration, led by Concerned Citizens of Ashaiman, started at the Court Junction, near the Church of Pentecost. The participants were demanding improved road conditions in Ashaiman, which is one of the most densely populated towns in the Greater Accra region.
Among the protesters, one held up a placard that said, ‘155km of roads in Ashaiman have not seen drain construction nor pavement.’
MP for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey, joined the demonstrators and voiced his frustration, stating that the government has ignored their pleas.
He emphasized the importance of the demonstration for the people of Ashaiman, as their calls for road rehabilitation have been ignored.
Despite being one of the most populous towns in Ghana, with daily influx of people for various business activities, Ashaiman roads remain a major concern.
The municipality is known for its significance during elections, but the current state of the roads is a source of disappointment among the residents.
The “Fix Our Roads” demonstration is set to continue tomorrow, October 4, with the possibility of further dates being announced in the near future.
By Vincent Kubi