Residents of Katapor and neighbouring communities in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are lamenting the deplorable state of their roads as the rainy season begins.
They are calling on the government to allocate to them a fair share of developmental projects towards road construction.
About 11 kilometers of roads stretching from the Pokuase interchange in the Trobu constituency through Katapor to Dedeiman, and sharing boundaries with Nsakyi in the Akwapim South Constituency of the Eastern Region, have been neglected for several years.
This has become a significant challenge for motorists and residents, especially now that the rainy season has begun.
Channel One News observed numerous broken down vehicles using that route. The roads are riddled with countless potholes, largely due to the operations of tipper trucks loading crushed rocks within the enclave.
Daniel Adu, a commercial driver who has been using this route for over four years, explained to Channel One News that the poor nature of the road affects him severely.
“Every three days, we visit Abossey Okai, because our vehicles are always breaking down, we’re pleading with the authorities to come to our aid.”
Michael Mensah, a resident who operates his business along the road, voiced concerns about the road’s impact on their health.
“The road is bad, they should have stopped the quarrying and allowed the completion of the road construction. We are faced with serious dust, and once in a while, then they bring water cannons. The government should do something about it. We’re suffering, our health is always challenged due to the poor road network.”
The state of the roads in Katapor is not the only challenge facing the people. Quarrying activities by about five companies have worsened the general landscape of the once-beautiful community.
In the hilly part of the community, it is evident that the hill has been flattened by quarrying activities.
Albert Sarko, who resides in the southern part of the community, had to build what he describes as a ‘sea defence’ to protect his home.
“If it rains and you come around, it’s not easy at all, it is evident in the community. They find it difficult to climb up. The rains have created artificial gutter, making it difficult nowadays.”
Kofi Robert, a youth leader, corroborates the impact of erosion on the roads.
“For almost 8 years, nothing has been done on the road, the nature of the road is very bad, We’re living in Accra, and from Accra Central to our place is a few minutes’ drive. It is difficult for pregnant women to ply the road.
“Our big problem is the erosion. “We’re pleading with the government to do something about it.”
Community leader, Sepenu Katapor said, “Our problems started when the quarrying activities began at our place. We tried to engage with the operators on site who offered only temporary solutions. We have also brought the issue to the attention of the Assembly. They inspected the situation but have yet to take any meaningful solution.”
—–
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital