Issues being raised by users of the 33.4-kilometre international road from Ofankor in the Greater Accra Region to Nsawam in the Eastern Region, forming part of the Accra-Kumasi National Route 6 (N6) road network, have brought to the fore problems relating to roads in the country.
Some of the roads have not been reconstructed after many years of deterioration, others are in state of disrepair whereas the rest are either being reconstructed or newly constructed.
The 33.4 kilometre Ofankor-Nsawam road that has prompted this editorial is currently under reconstruction, whose completion has delayed best known to the outgone government that awarded the contract for the works.
The now seriously dusty road has developed potholes, which continue to worsen in depth and width.
Residents along it are complaining of dust that has engulfed everything of theirs – houses, vehicles, food items and personal effects, including dresses, rendering some of them unpleasant for use now.
The issue of the health hazards that come with the dust is another incontestable issue.
The story of commuters is another concerned part of the whole narrative.
The bumping of vehicles, the longer travelling time, the accidents, the health hazards of the dust and fumes from vehicles and the recklessness of commercial drivers especially, not to mention the advantage the drivers take of commuters to collect unapproved fares from these passengers are all unpleasant happenings they have no control over.
The happenings on the Ofankor-Nsawam road are the echoes of similar stories on other roads across the country.
Take for instance the Ajumako-Agona Swedru road in the Central Region.
This is a road that has been neglected for many decades; it does not appear to have been rehabilitated since its construction by the colonial government as part of the old Mankessim-Swedru-Nsawam-Accra road.
Today, any stranger or visitor who plies the Ajumako-Agona Swedru road bitterly complains about the tortuous journey because the road undoubtedly is among most deteriorated roads in the country.
The Ghanaian Times can conclude that there are many such roads and those under construction which must be fixed as and when the financial strength of the country can make it possible,
The truth is that the road is the most provable evidence that everyone in the country is enjoying part of the national cake.
If a tortuous road, with all its problems, leads to where you work or live, your hometown or somewhere you must visit for a purpose, you would understand this when it is fixed.
Those of us working on this paper know that the new government would have to put certain measures in place to tackle the problems bequeathed to it.
However, we appeal to it to prioritise road projects, particularly the Ofankor-Nsawam, the Buduburam-Winneba roads and others like them which are parts of international travel ways and principal routes across the country, as well as the long-neglected tortuous ones.
We know there are many projects waiting to be undertaken in such sectors as health, education and agriculture, but no doubt, the fixing of roads and construction of new ones, if possible, would boost the legacy of the Mahama administration
The post Fix Ofankor-Nsawam road, others to boost legacy appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
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