Residents of the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities in the Eastern Region have staged a demonstration to protest the deplorable state of the Somanya–Odumase–Kpong road in the region.

They are therefore calling on President Mahama to intervene urgently.

The protest, which took place on Tuesday, October 14, culminated in the presentation of a petition to the President through the Municipal Assemblies of Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo.

The demonstrators, led by a coalition of Krobo civic groups, lamented that the abandoned road project has become a source of daily hardship, affecting transportation, health, and economic activity across the Krobo area.

In their petition, the groups described the 24-kilometre stretch as a “daily affliction” for residents, citing severe dust, deep potholes, and hazardous 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 following a change of government in 2017. According to them, the project was later re-awarded in 2024 but was again abandoned after another change in government in 2025.

The coalition warned that the neglect has resulted in rising cases of respiratory diseases, high vehicle maintenance costs, and collapsing small businesses.

Ambulances, they noted, struggle to navigate the rugged terrain, putting patients’ lives at risk.

The petition, signed by Kloma Hengme Chairman Isaac Tamatey Otu and Dangme Youth for Development President Simon Teye, urged the President to direct the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highways Authority to ensure the contractor’s return to site within 60 days.

It also called for durable construction materials capable of withstanding the weight of heavy limestone trucks that ply the route.

The Krobo groups further appealed for interim reliefs such as dust control, grading, and the installation of protective barriers near schools and health centres.

They cautioned that failure to resume construction within the stipulated period would compel residents to embark on further civil action.

“The patience of the Krobo people has been stretched beyond endurance,” the petition stated. “This is not merely a call for road construction but a plea for justice, equity, and respect for citizens who have long fulfilled their civic duties.”

The groups expressed confidence that the President would act decisively to restore public trust and bring relief to the long-neglected communities along the Somanya–Kpong corridor.

Below is the petition;