A group calling itself, Concern Citizens (CCT) of Tarkwa in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region have appealed to the government to fix Tamso-Wassa Agona immediately to avoid further casualties.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, the group said the road on Tarkwa-Takoradi stretch is in the very deplorable state and as a result claiming a lot of lives and forcing pregnant women to deliver prematurely.

"First and foremost is the distance of about 4kms specifically Tamso to Wassa Agona, on the Tarkwa to Takoradi stretch. This road is in a very deplorable state to the extent that pregnant women bled and had miscarriages. This is sad in a town like Tarkwa a great mining community at that".

The group added, "Friends here, you will be surprised to know that someone was sent to Accra for surgery and upon return just from Agona Nkwanta to Tarkwa the number of pot and manholes coupled with trenches and all that you can name, the man bled and fell unconscious and the end story was unpleasant".

The group bemoaned, "Hon. Leaders, as a result of the bad nature of the road, we are dying! Our checks from the hospitals have revealed that respiratory diseases as a result of constant inhaling of dust are increasing rapidly in Tarkwa. Respiratory Tract Infection according to clinical care 5/14 is as follows:

In 2016, 47,216 cases were recorded, 2017 saw an increase to 50,149 cases and 2018 saw even a further increase to 58,022 cases. It is conspicuous that due to the dusty nature of the road, communities along the stretch and entire Tarkwa Township are battling with health hazard. Has anyone thought of the babies that are being born in these areas, hmmm. It is so sad".

They said "We, therefore, appeal to the leadership of the Nation, specifically the President to come to our aid since it is clearly seen that the current challenges need national attention. Thus the President of the Republic His Excellence Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo must intervene in our predicament the earlier as stated the better".

The group, therefore, used the occasion to give the government two weeks ultimatum to do something about the road adding failure to do so will force them to demonstrate massively against the government.

Read their full statement;

FELLOW CCT MEMBERS THE MEDIA MEN AND WOMEN

On behalf of the executives and the entire members of CONCERNED CITIZENS OF TARKWA, we welcome all of you to this important gathering.

We are here to raise few issues for public consumption and as our name suggests whatever we raise, we believe are of public interest and therefore we are ready to sacrifice our time, energy, resources, strength, and knowledge to secure and ensure productivity, accountability and transparency which when enhanced facilitate a community’s development.

Tarkwa and its environs support the economy of Ghana with the following major commodities; Gold, Cocoa, Manganese, Timber and also links Awaso and Takoradi Harbour in transporting Bauxite.

In spite of the above vital contributions that Tarkwa and its environs make, Tarkwa has nothing to boast of but rather lacks even the basic development that befits her.

First and foremost is the distance of about 4kms specifically Tamso to Wassa Agona, on the Tarkwa to Takoradi stretch. This road is in a very deplorable state to the extent that pregnant women bled and had miscarriages. This is sad in a town like Tarkwa a great mining community at that.

Friends here, you will be surprised to know that someone was sent to Accra for surgery and upon return just from Agona Nkwanta to Tarkwa the number of pot and manholes coupled with trenches and all that you can name, the man bled and fell unconscious and the end story was unpleasant.

We have also encountered a number of armed robbery cases of which the recent was on 10th February 2019 at 9:20 pm, between Ahwetieso and Wassa Agona. It took the timely intervention of the police to avert a disaster. This can also be attributed to the bad nature of the road.

As it stands now, passengers find it difficult to even get transportation (ie trotro) because of go one go shop (terminology to describe the road by drivers). This has resulted in a seeming hardship for drivers and passengers alike, since most commercial vehicles no more ply that route.

Hon. Leaders, as a result of the bad nature of the road, we are dying! Our checks from the hospitals have revealed that respiratory diseases as a result of constant inhaling of dust are increasing rapidly in Tarkwa. Respiratory Tract Infection according to clinical care 5/14 is as follows:

In 2016, 47,216 cases were recorded, 2017 saw an increase to 50,149 cases and 2018 saw even a further increase to 58,022 cases. It is conspicuous that due to the dusty nature of the road, communities along the stretch and entire Tarkwa Township are battling with a health hazard. Has anyone thought of the babies that are being born in these areas, hmmm. It is so sad.

Brothers and sisters, to cut a long story short, a few months ago when Nananom demonstrated, the Regional Minister came to assure all of us that the contractor (Asabea) was going to be given some money within two (2) weeks to enable the contractor to facilitate the work in a very rapid manner.

However, four months have since passed and what do we rather see? A total neglect! The contracted has even vacated the site entirely. As a result community like, Tamso, Bankyim, Jerusalem, Akyempim, and Ahwetieso now bath, eat, drink and wear dust. Due to the way dust is able to travel, we are at risk. Fellow CCT members, dust and its health hazards can be chronic and its implications, very disastrous. This is the reason for all of us to wake up.

Again, as concerned citizens, we have also observed another important issue that must be looked at.

We certainly know that there are Ministries and Departments that implement and disseminate policies of Government at the various Regions, Metropolitans, Municipals and Districts.
There is a Departments’ block opposite T&A park adjacent GRA.

This block was disconnected of electricity power since July 2017 and as we speak it’s still not connected to enable them discharge their duty or mandate fully as workers of the government in the municipality

Below are affected offices or departments:

1. Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)

2. National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE)

3. Lands Commission (Land Valuation Division, Survey and Mapping Division and Public and Vested Land Management Division)

4. Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS)

5. National Youth Authority (NYA)

6. Centre for National Culture (CNC)

7. Youth Employment Agency (YEA)

8. Revenue Section (Assembly)

9. National Service Secretariat

How efficient and productive have all the above Departments been for the past 2years and still counting without electricity?.

We, therefore, appeal to the leadership of the Nation, specifically the President to come to our aid since it is clearly seen that the current challenges need national attention. Thus the President of the Republic His Excellence Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo must intervene in our predicament the earlier as stated the better.

We believe that leadership will not dare the youth of Tarkwa and its’ environs this time around because we are not happy with a number of things but to mention a few.

We humbly appeal to the leadership that after 2 weeks, if anything is then, then we might not have any option than to mobilize the entire community for the next line of action. The following are what we envisage to:

1. To ensure that the contractor is on site to complete the road

2. To ensure that electrical power is reconnected to the Department block to enhance punctuality, regularity, and productivity.

We will want to assure members and the communities around as well as the entire municipality that everyone should remain calm for the next line of actions if leadership becomes adamant to our call.

Thank You

Thank you all for coming

LONG LIVE CCT

LONG LIVE TARKWA

LONG LIVE TNMA

LONG LIVE WASSA FIASE

God bless us all

CONCERN CITIZENS OF TARKWA