Youth Rise Against Corruption – Tensions Soar at Akom Axle Load Centre in Ashanti Region

A wave of public anger surged through the Afigya Kwabre North District of the Ashanti Region on Monday, June 30, 2025, as a determined group of youth affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) staged a bold protest at the Akom Axle Load Centre, accusing officials of deep-rooted corruption and illegal activities that continue to rob the state of much-needed revenue.

The protest, described by eyewitnesses as peaceful but emotionally charged, was organized to demand accountability over what the youth described as a “deliberate and systemic” practice where some officers at the Centre allegedly collect bribes from overloaded trucks and allow them to pass through checkpoints without proper inspection. According to the protestors, these illegal acts are carried out in secrecy, and the funds are never accounted for—leading to massive revenue losses for the country.

Chanting slogans like “We Rise for Ghana!”, “No to Bribery!”, and “Corruption is Killing Development!”, the protesters expressed their frustration over the neglect of national interests in favour of personal gain by those entrusted with public responsibility.

“We are rising against the rot that is destroying this country,” said one of the protest leaders. “Our roads are breaking down, the state is bleeding, and yet these corrupt officials continue to take money under the table while Ghana suffers. Enough is enough.”

The protestors further emphasized that their action was not driven by partisanship but by a desire to protect national interest. “This is not about politics. It’s about patriotism. This facility is a key revenue point, and if it’s compromised, the entire country loses,” one youth boldly declared.

As tensions mounted, the Ashanti Regional Deputy Security Coordinator, Alhaji Nje, and his security team arrived at the scene to ensure calm and prevent any outbreak of violence. Their timely intervention helped contain the situation, allowing the youth to express their grievances without any physical confrontation or property destruction.

Speaking to the media after engaging with the protesters, Alhaji Nje said, “We picked up early intelligence on the protest and acted swiftly to maintain peace and listen to their concerns. These are valid issues they are raising. I assure them and the public that we will launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged corruption at the Akom Load Centre, and if anyone is found guilty, the law will take its course.”

No injuries or arrests were recorded during the protest, which ended peacefully following the intervention and assurance from security authorities.

The protest was spearheaded by Kwame Yaro, the NDC Youth Organizer for Afigya Kwabre North, who emphasized that the youth will not relent until there is full accountability.

“We cannot allow corruption to thrive while our schools lack desks, our hospitals lack medicine, and our roads are full of potholes,” Yaro stated. “If those in charge won’t fight corruption, we the youth will. We will continue to rise until justice is served and the bleeding stops.”

The protest has since sparked national interest and triggered broader public debate on the need to reform operations at axle load checkpoints across Ghana. Civil society organizations and transport unions are now joining the call for a digitalized and transparent system to block revenue leakages and ensure effective supervision of these critical state facilities.

As the country continues to grapple with economic challenges, the bold action of the NDC youth at Akom Load Centre may well become a catalyst for a larger anti-corruption movement across the region.