Chiefs in Lower Manya Krobo ban campaign activities over bad roads

All political parties have been banned temporarily from undertaking campaign activities in communities in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region.

This follows a directive by chiefs from about 50 communities in the municipality in protest at the deplorable state of local roads.

Several roads in the municipality are not motorable, and the only road linking all the communities is also in a deplorable state.

The Oborpah to Klo Djerkity road was built over five decades ago and connects communities such as Oborpa West, Trawa, Abobeng, Oborpa Dornguam, Abobeng, Oborpa East, Ogornya and Akortor.

It also connects other farming communities, including Yonguase, Ordornor, Poponya and Gbadagidi, among many along the stretch to Akosombo, Odumase Krobo and Oterkpoku, and to the regional capital, Koforidua.

Collapsing market

A resident who spoke to Starr FM said the deplorable state of roads has greatly affected farmers in the municipality. He said the dilapidated state of local bridges also makes it difficult for traders to cross over to buy foodstuffs from the farmers.

“Klo Djerkity was a very vibrant market where we had traders coming from Tema, Ashaiman, Koforidua and Accra to buy foodstuffs from the farmers. We have over 50 farming communities who all bring their foodstuffs here, but because of the poor road network the market has collapsed,” the resident said.

“The structure is there but nobody comes to buy here. We the women here are suffering. We have to carry our produce long distances to town before we get buyers so we can get money to buy fish and soap, among other things.

“The former Hearts of Oak and Black Stars goalkeeper James was born here. His mother used to trade at this market to take care of her children and family. So, this is a market which was helpful to farmers in this area,” he said.

No road, no campaign 

Meanwhile, Moses Tetteh Padi, the chief of Klo Djerkity, said all the traditional rulers have agreed to ban campaign activities until their roads are fixed.

He said the municipal chief executive, the Eastern Regional Minister, his deputy and the Electoral Commission (EC) have all been informed of the decision.

Agbertey Tetteh, the chief of Oborpah, said his people will proceed to boycott the December elections if nothing is done about their roads.

“All the chiefs here – about 50 of them – have resolved not to allow any political party to erect billboard or post campaign posters in any of the communities,” Agbertey Tetteh said. 

He added: “We will also not allow campaigning. We are saying it live and clear in the media so that the politicians will be aware, because we have informed the youth. So, if any politician comes here and defies this directive and something happens to him, nobody should complain.”

E A Alanore

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