Some of the aggrieved youth demonstrating
The youth of New Takoradi in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis staged a mammoth demonstration yesterday to register their displeasure at the deplorable nature of the road linking the community and Takoradi as well as some industries in the metropolis.
The less than two-kilometer road, which is in a very bad shape and produces lots of dust, is the main route for heavy duty vehicles that operate from the Port of Takoradi, other parts of the region and the country at large.
Some of the aggrieved youth who spoke to DAILY GUIDE, noted that the road had been in bad condition for over six years now, adding that vehicles plying the route pollute the atmosphere with dust.
They asserted that the only health facility in the area had to be closed down due to the menace caused by the dust adding, “The dust had also resulted in lots of respiratory conditions amidst other health challenges.”
The youth therefore blocked the main access road, thereby preventing several articulator trucks carrying various products belonging to the industries located in the community and other commercial vehicles from either leaving or coming to the area.
They burnt vehicle tyres in the course of the demonstration against the city authorities for failing to fulfill their promise of tarring the road, in spite of several appeals.
The blockade resulted in traffic congestion and affected the activities of companies located in the area.
Mr. Samuel Amissah, the assembly member for the area, indicated that for the past six years nothing good seemed to have happened on the road.
“The usual morning sea water sprayed on the road is not doing anything good but rather spoiling people’s vehicles,” he noted.
Mr. Amissah added that the failure to repair the road over the years had necessitated the demonstration.
“I recently went to Takoradi Port to complain and ask for repair but nothing has been done; people are getting asthma, miscarriages among others. We are suffering,” he added.
Policemen arrived on the scene on time and used dialogue and diplomacy to explain to the angry youth the importance of the road and the consequences of their actions.
Chief Supt. of Police, Samuel Owusu-Berko in-charge of Railway and Ports under the Marine Police Directorate, told journalists that fire personnel were ready to quench the blazing fire and pave way for the leveling of the road.
He mentioned that despite the chanting and hooliganism, nothing untoward happened as the police engaged the leadership of the demonstrators to halt the act because measures were being found to fix the problem permanently.
Meanwhile, information gathered revealed that less than two hours after the demonstration, equipment were mobilized and engineers sent to the site to fix the road.
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, K.K. Sam, disclosed that the road would be made motorable within the next few days.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi