Youth groups from Lower and Yilo Krobo Municipalities in Eastern Region have called off their intended demonstration scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025 following a crucial engagement with the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, the two municipal Chief Executives and the Security on Monday July 21.
The Demonstration dubbed, “Fix Somanya -Odumase – Kpong road”, which was being convened by Kloma Hengme Association and Kloma Gbi, intended to express their displeasure over the deplorable state of the major roads that connect the municipalities and other surrounding towns.
The roads awarded to contract in 2023 have been abandoned by the contractor since July 2024 due to non payment by government. This has caused the road to deteriorate especially as the rainy season begin, causing serious discomfort to motorists and residents.
Addressing the Media after Monday afternoon’s engagement, the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, acknowledged the dire state of the road and legitimate concerns raised by the youth groups.
“We had a peaceful meeting with the leaders of Kloma Hengme, Kloma Gbi, and our MCEs for Lower Manya and Yilo Krobo. I commend them for choosing the path of dialogue. I’ve assured them that the matter has been communicated to government, and President John Dramani Mahama has ordered contractors to return to site.”
In the interim, while awaiting the contractor to return to site, the Eastern Regional Minister disclosed that MCEs for Yolo and Manya Krobo have been tasked to water the dusty roads twice a week as and when the need arises.
“We agreed to continue engaging and even allow youth representatives to accompany us in meetings with the Roads Minister. The President is a listening leader, and he has prioritized this matter,” the Minister added.
The youth groups, in a letter to the Ghana Police Service two weeks ago, cited “extreme dust pollution, worsening potholes, and road deterioration” as daily hazards affecting transport, education, and commerce in the Krobo area. They described the highway as an economic lifeline and emphasized that the stalled project was endangering lives.
While assuring that their planned protest would have been peaceful and orderly, the groups said they have suspended the action in good faith, pending fulfillment of the government’s commitment.
The Somanya-Odumase-Kpong road was originally awarded on contract in mid-2024 but was abandoned due to the previous government’s failure to pay contractors. The current government has since revealed that it inherited a GH¢67.5 billion debt owed to contractors and suppliers.
Government will however begin clearing a portion the debt owed road contractors after having completed auditing of the project, with GH¢4 billion expected to be paid by the end of July 2025, allowing some abandoned projects to resume.
The Krobo youth groups have given grace period up to October this year to monitor progress of workdone on the roads to inform next line of action if the need be.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
