Residents of the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities in the Eastern Region have taken to the streets to protest the poor state of the Somanya–Odumase–Kpong road, urging President Mahama to take swift action to address their concerns.
The peaceful demonstration, held on Tuesday, October 14, ended with the submission of a petition to the President through the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assemblies.
Led by a coalition of Krobo civic groups, the demonstrators lamented that the long-abandoned road project has become a daily struggle for residents, hampering transportation, health delivery, and local commerce.
In their petition, the groups described the 24-kilometre stretch as a “daily affliction,” citing worsening dust, deep potholes, and unsafe driving conditions since work was halted in early 2025.
They explained that the road project initially began in 2016 but stalled after the 2017 change of government. Although it was reportedly re-awarded in 2024, construction again came to a standstill following the latest political transition in 2025.
The coalition said the neglect has caused increased cases of respiratory illness, higher vehicle maintenance costs, and the collapse of small businesses. Ambulance services, they added, often struggle to reach patients due to the deteriorated state of the road.
The petition, signed by Kloma Hengme Chairman Isaac Tamatey Otu and Dangme Youth for Development President Simon Teye, appealed to the President to direct the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highways Authority to ensure the contractor returns to site within 60 days.
They also requested that durable materials be used to accommodate the heavy limestone trucks that frequently ply the route and proposed temporary measures such as grading, dust control, and safety barriers near schools and health facilities.
The coalition cautioned that if construction does not resume within the given timeframe, residents may be forced to take further civil action.
“The patience of the Krobo people has been stretched beyond endurance,” the petition read. “This is not merely a demand for road works but a plea for justice, equity, and respect for citizens who continue to fulfil their civic obligations.”
The groups expressed optimism that President Mahama would act decisively to rebuild public confidence and bring lasting relief to the communities along the Somanya–Kpong corridor.
