Ho chiefs to lead demo over gov't neglect

deplorable portions of the Ho-Adidome trunk road

Chiefs in the Asogli traditional area have threatened to lead the youth of Ho to demonstrate against the government if work do not immediately resume on the Ho-Adidome-Sogakope trunk road.

Togbi Anikpi III, divisional chief of Ho-Heve disclosed this categorically at a meeting with President John Mahama on Sunday at the Asogli state palace in Ho, after the president inspected the road, which started in March 2010 and was scheduled to be completed in ten months but have since delayed with work currently at a standstill for lack of funds.

‘Are we not part of the country or is it because the region is considered as ‘World Bank’ that come what may whether our needs are catered for or not you are sure of our votes and therefore no serious attention is given to our development projects… the youth of the town are determined and come Wednesday the demonstration is coming on if we do not see any sign that work has resumed on the roads..’  Togbe Anikpi stated without mincing words.

The road has become the preferred route for most drivers from the Central and Northern sectors of the Volta Region to Accra instead of the ferry crossing at Senchi following the closure of the Adomi Bridge at Atimpoku for major repair works.

Heavy rains have however rendered much of the uncompleted portions of the road especially between Adaklu and Mafi non-motorable as a result of uncompleted bridges, culverts and lack of warning signs.

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs at their last meeting complained bitterly to government over the closure of the Adomi Bridge without the provision of a safe and faster alternative route to link the region to the national capital.

Many residents have also expressed frustrations over the situation which they said have virtually cut off the region from other parts of the country, and it's gradually halting economic activities in the region.

President Mahama on his part, blamed the delays on the current economic challenges devilling the country, which according to him have starved most GoG (Government of Ghana) funded projects across the country.

He however said some funds have now been made available to the contractors to complete the road as a ‘matter of urgency’.

The president further stated his administration will not ‘take the Volta region for granted’ and reiterated his commitment to fulfilling all promises made to the region and appealed to the people to exercise restraints.