Foase youth demonstrate over poor infrastructure
The youth of Foase in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti Region have staged a mammoth demonstration against the poor state of roads in the district, especially the district capital, Foase.
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The demonstrators also contended that the lack of critical infrastructure to spearhead the development of the district was making life more difficult for the people.
Numbering about 50, the youth marched through the principal streets of the town and ended up on the premises of the assembly where they presented a three-page petition to the assembly. It was received by the District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Samuel Gyedu-Nuako.
The demonstrators carried placards some of which read ‘We need development’; ‘Atwima Kwanwoma needs development’; ‘We are suffering’; and ‘Why are staff of the assembly not occupying the three bungalows’.
Mr Osei Bonsu, secretary to the youth group, which calls itself the ‘Concerned citizens of Foase,’ in a statement, signed on behalf of the group, deplored the lack of development initiatives by the district assembly.
It said since its inauguration six years ago, the assembly had not undertaken any major infrastructure and social development as was being done in other districts in the country.
It went on to say that as a result of the poor state of roads in the district, a number of transport operators, including the Metro Mass Transit, which operated between Kumasi and Nweneso, had withdrawn their services.
The situation has made it easy for the few drivers who still provide services to cheat commuters as they always put their vehicles on charter services and charge high fees.
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According to the statement, because of the absence of a hospital in the district, the people travel all the way to Kumasi to seek health care and the poor nature of roads in the area poses a threat to the lives of patients, especially pregnant women.
The angry youth stated that if nothing was done about the situation soon, they would consider their next line of action.
The District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Osei Bonsu, who addressed the petitioners, said work on the Kwadaso-Ohwimase to Nweneso road had been awarded on contract and work was expected to start in September, this year. He, therefore, asked the people to be patient as everything was being done to fix the road.
The co-ordinating director hinted that roofing of the new assembly building had just been completed.
He said the lack of funds was a major challenge confronting the assembly in providing the needed development projects.