Residents of Old Ashongman in the Greater Accra region are calling for the immediate reconstruction of their main road, describing its deteriorating condition as a major burden despite paying property rates.

Residents say the poor state of the road has made daily commuting difficult, especially during the rainy season when potholes fill with water and render the stretch nearly impassable.

Speaking to JoyNews on March 30, residents lamented that despite paying between 200 and 300 cedis in property rates, the road remains in deplorable condition.

“It is not helping us. When it rains, the whole place becomes terrible. You cannot even cross to the other side, and we are constantly spending money on spare parts due to the damage to our vehicles,” one local said.

She added that repeated appeals to the local assembly member have yielded little response, forcing residents to escalate their concerns.

According to her, their Member of Parliament has recently visited the area and promised to fix the road within 18 months.

However, residents say they are allowing up to 24 months for the project to be completed, warning that they will take further action if the promise is not fulfilled.

Another resident noted that the road serves as a key link between Pokuase and Amasaman, and fixing it would significantly reduce traffic congestion on the main highway.

He expressed cautious optimism following the sod-cutting ceremony but stressed that the work must be done properly.

“We are happy they have come, but we want quality work. The contractor must ensure proper drainage, with bigger gutters to prevent flooding,” he said.

A resident who has lived in the area for 16 years said the situation has worsened over time, particularly during heavy rains when the road becomes flooded and unusable.

He also revealed that a tragic incident occurred less than two months ago when a lady was swept away by floodwaters in the area, underscoring the urgency of the problem.

Residents are therefore urging authorities to prioritise the project to improve safety and ease movement in the community.