Nabdam youth petition government over deplorable road

A youth group in Ghana's Upper East Region is demanding urgent government action to repair a dilapidated 17-kilometer road in the Nabdam District. The Nabdam Youth Group has formally petitioned the government, through the Upper East Regional Minister, to rehabilitate the Zanlerigu–Damolgo–Pelungu–Sakoti road, which they describe as "lamentable" and "life-threatening."

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lamentable

The group expressed strong dissatisfaction with the road's current state, asserting that it has stifled the area's economic development for years. According to the group's spokesperson, Mr. Albert Dok Dong, the road becomes nearly impassable during the rainy season, posing significant dangers to motorists and other users. This situation severely impacts farmers, making it difficult to transport their produce to key markets like Bolgatanga Central Market, Pelungu Market, and Kongo Market.

Mr. Dong further explained that the poor road conditions lead to substantial post-harvest losses and create severe hardships for residents whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. The inadequate road network disrupts education and slows economic activities, as traders and schoolchildren are often unable to use the road when heavy rains occur. This isolation also affects community members' social and economic lives, cutting them off from essential services, government programs, and access to regional markets.

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life-threatening

The youth group lamented that successive governments have ignored repeated appeals for the road's rehabilitation, leaving it in its current "sorry state." They are urgently calling for the construction of the 17-kilometer road and the rehabilitation of other feeder roads in the area, including the Pelungu–Yakoti road, with necessary culverts. They specifically appealed to the National Democratic Congress-led government to prioritize this project.

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The poor road network has disrupted education and slowed economic activities, as traders and schoolchildren are unable to use the road whenever heavy rains set in.

Furthermore, the group requested the allocation of a dedicated budget for the Zoliba community road under the District Assemblies Common Fund or another relevant infrastructure program. They also urged the Ghana Highway Authority or the Department of Feeder Roads to conduct an immediate technical assessment for reconstruction or temporary maintenance. The Nabdam Youth Group pledged their support, offering labor and site clearance assistance, and expressed optimism that improved road infrastructure would significantly boost the district's overall development.

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The situation has also dealt a heavy blow to the social and economic lives of community members, as the area has been cut off from essential social services, government programmes and access to other markets in the region.