Pokuase Ridge East residents give Ga North MCE 14 days to fix roads or face protest

Residents and property owners of Pokuase Ridge East in the Ga North Municipality of the Greater Accra Region have petitioned the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) over the deplorable and deteriorating condition of roads in the community.

In the petition, the Pokuase Ridge East Residents’ Association said the situation had gone beyond ordinary inconvenience and was affecting access to water, public safety, emergency services, security and the overall quality of life in the area.

According to the residents, the roads have deteriorated significantly, with deep potholes, uneven surfaces and erosion making movement difficult for motorists, pedestrians, schoolchildren and commercial drivers.

They noted that sections of the roads become particularly difficult to navigate during rainfall, increasing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.

The residents also expressed concern about possible delays in emergency response services.

“Of even greater concern is the potential obstruction of emergency services, including ambulances, fire tenders, and security patrol vehicles, whose timely response may be critical in emergencies,” the petition stated.

The Association further lamented disruptions to water supply, explaining that commercial water tanker operators were becoming reluctant, and in some cases refusing, to deliver water to the community because of the poor road conditions.

They stressed that many households depended on tanker services for their daily water needs, describing the situation as unacceptable.

“It is unacceptable that residents should be deprived of reliable access to water simply because the roads leading to their homes have become practically inaccessible,” they said.

On security, the residents warned that poor road access could delay police patrols and emergency responses, potentially exposing residents and their properties to avoidable risks, particularly during emergencies at night.

The Association also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the lack of corresponding infrastructural improvements despite residents fulfilling their obligations through the payment of property rates and other municipal levies.

“Residents cannot continually be expected to contribute financially toward municipal development while the roads serving their homes remain in such deplorable condition,” they lamented.

Residents demand urgent intervention

The residents are demanding an urgent technical inspection of the affected roads and the commencement of meaningful rehabilitation or emergency remedial works within 14 calendar days of receipt of the petition.

They are also calling for immediate temporary interventions, including grading, filling and levelling severely damaged sections to restore accessibility, particularly for water tankers and emergency vehicles.

Additionally, the Association wants the Assembly to provide a written response outlining its proposed interventions and implementation schedule. It has also requested a stakeholder meeting between the Assembly and community leaders to agree on a sustainable solution.

The residents have warned that failure to commence meaningful remedial works within the stipulated 14-day period will compel them to undertake lawful civic action.

The planned actions include convening a press conference involving print, electronic and online media to draw national attention to the situation, as well as organising a large but peaceful demonstration.

The Association emphasised that the intended actions were not meant to create disorder or undermine public authority.

“We wish to emphasize that these actions are not intended to create disorder or undermine public authority. Rather, they represent the legitimate and peaceful exercise of our constitutional rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and demonstration,” the petition added.

The residents said they expected a formal written response and the commencement of meaningful remedial measures within 14 calendar days.

They expressed hope that the Assembly would act promptly to address their concerns and restore confidence in local governance.