Residents of Denkyemuoso, Atwima Techiman, and surrounding areas say they are suffering from severe dust pollution due to the abandoned Kwadaso-Atwima Ofoase dual carriageway projects.
The pollution is causing respiratory and heart diseases and contributing to rising road accidents in communities along the road.
The 15.2-kilometer road project connecting Kwadaso to Trabuom, Ofoase, and Twedie in the Ashanti Region was awarded to Asabea Engineering Limited in 2018, but the project has stalled for seven years, causing difficulties for residents.
Aside from health concerns, a visit to some communities along the road reveals that the state of the roads is causing havoc – potholes and thick dust are breaking vehicle parts, sending drivers to mechanics frequently. Also, most businesses have shut down, and houses along the roads are covered in dust.
Residents shared their anger and disappointment about the neglected road during an interview.
A cocoyam seller, Auntie Amalia, said, “The excessive dust is killing us, especially for us traders. I went to the hospital recently with a headache; the doctor said dust had gotten into my head”.
A food vendor, Doris Opoku, echoed the same concern, saying, “Customers are avoiding our street food because of the dust and dirt on the roads. Our sales have really dropped, and it’s affecting our livelihoods. We’re humbly asking the government to intervene and get the contractors to finish the road project so we can get back to business as usual”.
“Our people in this Denkyembuoso community are suffering from asthma due to the dust, and some have even died.
“Why are we being punished like this? Our leaders seem unbothered about our health,” a resident lamented, suggesting that they at least sprinkle water on the road to reduce the dust.
The residents are urging the government to include their road project in the national road development plans.
Meanwhile, Denkyembuoso Dikro and Atwima Takyiman Dikro, Nana Afriyie Takyi echoed the frustration residents, transporters, and business operators have had to bear due to the volume of dust from the roads, with the accompanying health implications.
They appealed to the government to help complete the road network, to enable them to leave a normal life.
“We’re appealing to the government to expedite the payment to the contractor if that’s what’s needed to get the road project completed. Our community is really suffering because of the dust, and a finished road would make a huge difference for us”.
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