Krobo residents protest bad Somanya–Kpong road, give gov’t 60 days to act
Residents of Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region have staged a massive demonstration to protest the deplorable condition of the Somanya–Odumase–Kpong road, demanding urgent intervention from President John Mahama.
The protest, 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 abandoned road project has become a daily nightmare, crippling transportation, health services, and economic activity in the area.
In their petition, the groups described the 24-kilometre stretch as a “daily affliction,” citing thick dust, gaping potholes, and dangerous driving conditions that have worsened since construction was halted in early 2025.
They explained that reconstruction of the road began in 2016 but was halted after a change in government in 2017.
The project was re-awarded in 2024, yet work stalled again following another political transition in 2025.
According to the coalition, the prolonged neglect has led to rising respiratory diseases, high vehicle repair costs, and the collapse of small businesses.
Ambulances, they said, now struggle to reach patients due to the road’s poor state.
The petition, signed by Kloma Hengme Chairman Isaac Tamatey Otu and Dangme Youth for Development President Simon Teye, urged President Mahama to direct the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highways Authority to ensure the contractor returns to site within 60 days.
The groups also called for the use of durable construction materials to withstand the heavy limestone trucks that frequently ply the route, as well as temporary relief measures such as dust control, grading, and safety barriers near schools and health centres.
“The patience of the Krobo people has been stretched beyond endurance, this is not just a call for road construction but a plea for justice, equity, and respect for citizens who have long fulfilled their civic duties,” the petition read.
They warned that failure to resume work within the stipulated period would compel residents to take further civil action.
The groups expressed confidence that President Mahama would act swiftly to restore public trust and bring long-awaited relief to the neglected communities along the Somanya–Kpong corridor.