Ashaiman unrests likened to Arab Spring

The Director of the World Health Organisation’s Collaborating Centre for Advocacy and Training in Pharmacovigilance at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Alex Nii Dodoo, says Monday’s protests in Ashaiman should put government officials on their toes.

According to him, the blame must be put at the door step of politicians who fail to deliver on their promises to the people.

“It was coming,” he stressed on TV3’s News @ 10 on Monday. “When people promise what they cannot deliver that is what happens,” he added.

He said the situation has a semblance to the Arab Spring that swept through the Middle East in 2011.

“What the people of Ashaiman did [on Modnay] is no different from the Arab Spring,” he observed.

He said politicians needed to be held accountable for their words and actions. “You cannot justify a country with over 80 ministers and yet you cannot deliver,” Prof. Dodoo said.

He added that the country lacked good leadership, which is an ingredient for good governance which, in turn, ensures development.

Youth of Ashaiman and drivers of the local branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) on Monday blocked the main Ashaiman-Tema Road in protest against delay of contractors to complete the project.

The police made 11 arrests and have promised to ensure security in the town.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, Numo Adinortey Addison, has promised that work will begin on the project "by the end of the week".