Residents of Yilo Krobo and New Juaben in the Eastern region have clashed with personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) following the blockage of the main Koforidua-Nkurakan road by the residents in protest of the deplorable condition of the road.
Clad in red and black attire, the residents took to the streets on Thursday to demonstrate the delay in the completion of the Koforidua-Nkurakan main road.
They blocked the road with tyres, logs, wooden boxes, and other items to prevent vehicular movement on the stretch.
The situation left students and traders who needed vehicles to get to their schools and market centres stranded.
According to the demonstrators, more than 10 people, including a student and Okada riders, have lost their lives in accidents on the stretch—preventable incidents they believe could have been avoided if the roads were in good condition.
Some of the demonstrators who spoke to Channel One News’ Neil Nii Kanarku indicated that they would not take part in this year’s elections if the Koforidua-Nkurakan road was not fixed.
Four assembly members from Ada, Aboabo, Magazine, and Nkurakan, who led the demonstration together with the Adukrom Akwadum chief Nana Asiedu Oduro, issued a two-week ultimatum to the government to ensure that the contractor returns to the site to complete the project or face their wrath.
The Eastern Regional Coordinating Director, Yaw Adu Asamoah, received a petition from the demonstrators in the absence of the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, noting the importance of the Nkurakan-Koforidua road.
He also assured the protesters of channelling their grievances to the appropriate quarters for redress.
By Neil Nii Karnaku
