Angry Wawase Residents Protest Over Abandoned Cocoa Road, Demand Immediate Government Action
More than 2,000 residents of Wawase in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region poured onto the streets on Tuesday in a massive peaceful walk to protest the long-abandoned Wawase–Dominase cocoa road project. The demonstrators, made up of farmers, traders, youth groups, community leaders, schoolchildren, and the elderly, called on the government to urgently return the contractor to site and complete the stalled project, which they say has brought untold hardship to the entire community.
According to the residents, the Wawase–Dominase road was awarded as a cocoa road project several years ago, but the contractor abruptly left the site after working on only a portion of the stretch. They alleged that the government’s failure to release the necessary funds forced the contractor to abandon the project, leaving behind a dangerously deteriorated road that continues to hinder socio-economic development.
The residents described the road as “completely deplorable, risky, and unacceptable,” noting that during the rainy season, the entire stretch becomes muddy, slippery, and nearly impassable. Deep potholes, erosion trenches, and flood-prone sections make transportation extremely difficult, with most drivers refusing to use the route.
Farmers expressed deep frustration, explaining that transporting cocoa and food produce to Dominase and other major market centers has become a daily struggle. Many incur losses because buyers and transport operators decline to enter the community due to the terrible condition of the road. Some farmers are forced to carry their produce on their heads for long distances, while others depend on motorbikes at high cost, significantly reducing their profits.
Traders and small business operators added that the situation has crippled commercial activities in Wawase. They lamented that customers no longer visit the community as frequently as before because the road is too risky, especially during rainy periods.
The poor state of the road has also affected education. Schoolchildren walk long distances on the damaged stretch to access schools in Dominase and nearby communities. Teachers posted to Wawase struggle to reach their stations, particularly when heavy rains turn the road into a muddy, waterlogged track. Parents fear the situation is contributing to low attendance and poor academic performance.
Health workers and residents highlighted serious concerns about emergency cases. According to them, ambulances and transport operators often refuse to enter the community at night or during bad weather, putting pregnant women, the aged, and the sick at great risk. Several residents recounted troubling incidents where delays in reaching health facilities worsened medical conditions.
During the protest, the residents held a press conference where they issued a strong appeal to the government, COCOBOD, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, and the Member of Parliament. They demanded immediate intervention to ensure the contractor is paid and compelled to return to site without further delays.
They emphasized that the community has been patient for years, but the lack of progress on the road has pushed them to the limit. Many expressed disappointment, stating that although Wawase has supported governments over the years, they have seen no meaningful development.
The demonstrators stressed that the abandoned cocoa road project has become a symbol of neglect, and they will no longer remain silent while their livelihoods, education, healthcare, and economic activities continue to suffer.
The peaceful demonstration ended with the community reaffirming their collective demand: that the government must act swiftly, pay the contractor, and resume work on the Wawase–Dominase road. The residents vowed to continue speaking out until the long-awaited project is completed to enhance development and improve the quality of life for the people of Wawase.
