“Enough Is Enough!” – Angry Residents Demand Urgent Action on Flooded Roads and Water Shortage

There is growing tension in Rama Town and Kojo Oku in the Western Region as residents, backed by traditional authorities, have declared their frustration with what they describe as years of neglect by the Member of Parliament, Hon. Desmond De-Graft Paitoo, and the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Margret Naana Ackom. Their anger centers on the collapsed road network, lack of bridges and culverts, and the absence of potable drinking water, which they say have rendered life unbearable for the entire population.

The residents, in a spontaneous and emotionally charged gathering, poured out their grievances to community elder Opanyin Darko, recounting the multiple challenges they face daily due to the poor state of infrastructure in the area. They chanted “Enough is Enough!”, declaring that they could no longer remain silent while their livelihoods, safety, and health continue to deteriorate.

According to the residents, any time it rains, the main road becomes flooded, making it completely impassable for vehicles, schoolchildren, and pedestrians. This is due to the lack of culverts and bridges, which has allowed stormwater to overflow directly onto the road and nearby homes. The resulting floods have led to property damage, disruption of economic activities, and displacement of some residents.

“This road has turned into a death trap. When it rains, it’s a river. We carry schoolchildren on our backs just to get them to school. The farmers can’t transport their produce. Even taxis and ‘trotros’ avoid coming here. We are completely cut off,” lamented Opanyin Darko.

The dangerous condition of the road has also created a breeding ground for criminal activity, especially at night. The residents say armed robbers frequently ambush travelers along the isolated and muddy stretches, robbing them of their belongings under the cover of darkness and broken-down vehicles.

“Sometimes, we get stuck in the mud and before we know it, we are attacked. There is no police patrol, and the road is too dark and isolated,” one commercial driver stated.

Aside from the road concerns, the residents are battling a serious water crisis. There is no public water supply, forcing residents to fetch water from unsafe and unprotected sources, including streams and hand-dug wells. This, they say, has led to outbreaks of waterborne diseases, particularly among children and the elderly.

The Moosi Chief of the area, Saliki Ibrahim Mohammed, added his voice to the cries of the people, calling on government authorities to act immediately before the situation escalates into a full-blown disaster. He noted with concern that a recent torrential rainfall submerged many homes, leaving several residents stranded, yet the MP and the DCE failed to visit or respond to the community’s distress.

“The people are angry. They feel abandoned. I have personally sent letters and petitions to the Assembly and the MP’s office, but they have refused to even acknowledge receipt. What more can we do as law-abiding citizens? We need bridges, culverts, and a reliable water supply system,” the chief said bitterly.

In what appears to be a growing wave of rural agitation, youth groups in the area have hinted at organizing a peaceful protest if government authorities continue to ignore their plight. Some residents have also threatened to boycott future elections, stating that politicians only remember them during campaign seasons and abandon them afterward.

“We’re not animals. We also vote, we also pay taxes. All we are asking for is safe roads and clean water to drink. Is that too much to ask?” a youth activist questioned.

The situation in Rama Town and Kojo Oku reflects the larger infrastructural challenges facing many rural communities across the country, and the residents are calling on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to intervene directly and bring the much-needed development to their area.

Until then, the people of Rama Town and Kojo Oku remain defiant and determined to fight for their rights — with their voices growing louder by the day.