Some business owners along the Ho-Adaklu Kodzobi stretch are forced to close down their activities, while the operational ones are battling with dust and experiencing low patronage due to the deplorable state of the road.
The road is a 5-kilometre urban road linking the Volta regional capital, Ho, to Adaklu Kodzobi, a suburb of the city.
Due to the friendly proximity of the developing community, many families are migrating from the main city to acquire properties and establish businesses in the area of Adaklu Kodzobi.
However, the bloating population and vehicular pressure on the road have damaged the stretch, which was once tarred through private funding.
The road was rehabilitated by Togbe Dzeglade IV, Divisional Chief of Adaklu Traditional Area and Dufia of Adaklu Kodzobi.
In a meeting with the leadership of the Volta chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to appreciate the association's contribution during his (Togbe Dzeglade) 40th anniversary as a chief, he appealed for the rehabilitation of the road.
According to the traditional leader, Adaklu Kodzobi has become the "next point of settlement due to its proximity to the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and the Ho Technical University (HTU)".
He said that due to the bad state of the road, people are feeling reluctant to "develop the lands".
Regarding health implications, Togbe Dzeglade lamented the various health challenges residents and commuters are exposed to due to the dust from the road and possible road accidents.
Joyce Tetteh is a businesswoman along the stretch who deals in provisions. She said, "I have to clean the goods every day because of the dust. If they're dirty, you won't buy them, right? Sometimes, people don't like to buy from these shops because the dust from the road makes the goods look dirty. It's a challenge for us," she lamented.
Divine Agbodza is a taxi driver. He said, "We normally end our trip here (Mirage near the HTU) due to the bad state of the Kodzobi road. But if you want me to take you to Kodzobi, I'll charge you at least 20ghc instead of 5ghc for four passengers. You can pay 10ghc each."
The Chief, however, appealed to the authorities of Ho and Adaklu districts to collaborate and reshape the road. He also urged urban road leadership to consider the lives and businesses of people living in the area and prioritize the construction of the road.
Adaklu Kodzobi is suitable for the real estate business due to its proximity to the two universities in the Volta Region. The land is also good for commercial farming and industries.