Residents of Ashaiman, a municipality in the Greater Accra region, who are angry and accuse politicians of ignoring their pleas for eight years, are warning them not to run for office in the municipality.
There have been no improvements to the poor condition of the residents’ roads, despite their repeated protests and pleadings.
On January 25, 2024, during a road rehabilitation initiative headed by the local MP, Ernest Norgbey, the irate residents issued the warning.
Politicians were sternly warned by locals to hold off on running for office until the roads had been completely repaired. A local named Francis Azorliade declared, “No political party should dare to campaign here if they neglect Ashaiman’s roads.” We are willing to make sacrifices for our community.”
He continued, “Our message goes out to the NPP, NDC, PPP, and all political parties: Address the roads in Ashaiman, or refrain from campaigning here, period!”
Due to the terrible condition of the road, a 38-year-old mother of three and a small trader along the VALCO Flats to Lebanon road highlighted their daily struggles with dust. She complained, “They only pay attention during elections; hence, we’ve decided not to vote.”
High air pollution, traffic congestion, and hours of stuck traffic for Ashaiman residents were the main reasons for MP Ernest Norgbey to start reshaping four kilometers of the worst sections of the municipality’s 160-kilometer road network.
MP Norgbey stated, “I have received numerous complaints about the deplorable state of the roads” during the road reshaping. I know their suffering because I have driven these roads. The legislature and administration are still unresponsive despite protests and discussions of the problems in Parliament.”
The decision was made to temporarily reshape four or five kilometers of the road because the author could not watch helplessly as his people suffered. Ernest Norgbey gave his assurance, “I hope and pray that the 166 km of roads in the municipality will be tarred when the NDC government takes power.
In response to locals’ worries that politicians shouldn’t be allowed to campaign in Ashaiman because of the terrible condition of the roads, Norgbey thinks the NDC ought to be an exception.
He urged the populace to direct their fury towards the current government, drawing attention to Ashaiman’s underrepresentation in the national cake. Norgbey, who also promised to take action if the roads were not maintained, urged the people to pay attention to him and John Dramani Mahama.
Locals have threatened to sabotage any electoral process if the state of the roads does not improve before the general elections later this year.
