Residents of Midie, a salt mining community in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region, have expressed concern over the poor state of a road linking the community to Aminapa, describing it as a major threat to schoolchildren and economic activities.
According to residents, pupils from Midie are forced to cross an estimated 50-metre muddy stream daily before accessing the Aminapa D/A Basic School, the only nearby basic school serving the community. Parents who spoke to Opemeh News said the situation becomes more dangerous during the rainy season when the stream overflows and the road becomes extremely muddy and slippery.They alleged that a child had previously lost her life while attempting to use the road under similar conditions.
Mr. Thomas Korley, a resident and parent, said the community had over the years received several promises from political leaders regarding rehabilitation of the road, but no lasting intervention had been made.“It has not been easy even for adults to use the road, not to talk of schoolchildren who cross it every day to access education,” he stated.He expressed disappointment over what he described as repeated unfulfilled promises from authorities. “As for our MP, she only knows how to promise. I don’t want to talk about her,” he added. Another resident, Mr. Isaiah Korle, said appeals had been made on several occasions to the Assembly Member, District Chief Executive, and Member of Parliament, but the dangerous section of the road remained unattended to. “They keep telling us they will come, but nothing happens. What if our children die while trying to cross the stream?” he questioned. He noted that although part of the road was graveled under the previous administration, the most dangerous section was left out.
Madam Angel Esther, a salt miner in the community, explained that the poor road network was also affecting economic activities in the area. According to her, buyers often refuse to travel to Midie to purchase salt due to the poor condition of the road, especially during the rainy season. She said transporting foodstuffs and other goods to nearby markets had also become difficult because commercial motorbike riders were reluctant to use the route when it rains.
Madam Vidah, another resident, said the community lacks a Junior High School, compelling JHS pupils to travel either to Togbloku or Pute for their education.“From Midie to Pute is about two to three kilometres, while Togbloku is about three to four kilometres away,” she said. She explained that the distance and poor nature of the road placed enormous pressure on both parents and students, particularly during the rainy season.“Our men and youth have motor tricycles, but they cannot use them to transport salt because of the road. Most times, we hire tractors before we can move the salt to the markets,” she added.
When contacted, Mr. Prosper Tetteh Puplampu, Assembly Member for the area, confirmed the concerns and said efforts were underway to temporarily address the situation. According to him, he had appealed to both the District Chief Executive and the Member of Parliament to provide gravel to fill the dangerous section of the road pending a major road construction project.“That portion will be fixed before Sunday. The MP has directed that some trips of gravel be sent to temporarily address the situation,” he told Opemeh News
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