The block road at Mahean by the demonstrators
About 500 residents of Mahean in the Ga West Municpal Assembly yesterday demonstrated against the poor roads in the area.
As early as 6:30am, irate youth, clad in red bands and holding placards, blocked the roads leading to Mahean and Ablekuma, burning over 60 car tyres.
The situation affected workers and school children who use the roads to their various destinations.
Women, children, physically challenged and the aged had to be carried through swampy ground to enable them board vehicles from the outskirts of the town to their various destination.
Personnel from the Accra Regional Police Command were later called in to maintain law and order, while Ghana National Fire Service personnel were also there to quench the fire.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Ghanaian Times that the bad roads, which had been left untended for years, had adversely affected commuters and motorists.
He said due to the deteriorated roads, commercial vehicles, especially taxis hesitate to drive to the area, adding that those who offered their services charged exorbitant fares.
The resident said pregnant women often have complication as a result of the bad roads.
Another resident who preferred to be called as Charlotte said during the rainy season the situation becomes so bad that vehicles do not come to the area.
“Anytime we complain about the issue, gravels are brought in to fill the roads, which deteriorate in a short time,” she added and called on the authorities to expedite action on the reconstruction of the roads.
The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Effia Tenge told The Ghanaian Times that they had information about the issue and rushed to the area to restore law and order.
She said three persons had been arrested in connection with the rioting and were in the custody of the police assisting in investigations.
ASP Tenge called on the residents not to take the laws in their own hands but use appropriate channels to address their grievances.
She said calm had been restored in the area.
By Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi
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