Youth groups from the Krobo area have called off their planned demonstration scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025, following a high-level stakeholder engagement with the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, and Municipal Chief Executives from the area on Monday July 21.
The protest, originally organized by the Kloma Hengme Association and Kloma Gbi, was intended to draw attention to the deplorable state of the Somanya-Odumase-Kpong road.
The road, abandoned by contractors since July 2024 due to non-payment, has been a source of mounting frustration among residents.
Addressing the media after Monday’s meeting, Hon.Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey acknowledged the dire state of the road and the 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.”
To manage the situation while awaiting full resumption of works, the Minister disclosed that MCEs have been tasked to water the dusty roads twice a week, and consistent meetings with the Ministry of Roads will be held.
“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.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
