Angry youth and commercial drivers blocked the main Nyankrom–Shama road on Monday, May 4, bringing traffic to a standstill and forcing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates to walk to their exam centre.
The protest, which involved barricades and burning car tyres, was triggered by the deplorable state of the 1.5-kilometre stretch, a critical link for residents, drivers, and industrial operators in the area.
Despite the presence of police, demonstrators remained firm, accusing local authorities of neglect.
The road, riddled with potholes and cloaked in dust during dry spells, becomes nearly impassable in rainy weather. Residents say the Shama Municipal Assembly and Municipal Chief Executive, Paul Otis Dentu, have ignored repeated appeals for repairs.
The blockade followed the expiration of a one-month ultimatum to the assembly to compel a contractor to return to the site. Protesters claim the deadline passed without any response.
“We are tired of being treated with contempt,” said Israel Kwesi Eshun, a leader of the Nyankrom Concerned Youth.
“The assembly collects significant revenue from trucks supplying materials to companies along this road. So why can’t this 1.5-kilometre road be fixed?”
He warned that the blockade would continue for five more days if no action is taken.
The disruption hit students hardest. At the Unique Star Education Complex, the school bus was unable to pass, forcing BECE candidates to walk several minutes to their exam centre.
“This is not fair to them, considering what lies ahead,” said Blessing Mensah, the school administrator. “If this continues, it could take a toll on them. We plead with the assembly to intervene.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Shama Municipal Assembly had not responded, and the Nyankrom–Shama road remained blocked.
