Residents and business owners along the Sunyani–Abesim stretch in the Bono Region are expressing growing frustration over delays in the much-anticipated road expansion project, following the demolition and clearing of roadside structures.
A Sunyani-based entrepreneur, Ransford Antwi, has publicly criticized the situation in a strongly worded Facebook post, questioning the planning and execution of the project. Mr. Antwi, a native of Sunyani, lamented that four weeks after the removal of containers, shops, trees, streetlights, and billboards along the Sunyani–Abesim Road, there is no visible sign of construction activity.
According to him, the initial announcement of the project had been met with widespread excitement, especially given the road’s reputation as one of the busiest in the regional capital.
He noted that public officials, including the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East and the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, actively promoted the project through media engagements, raising expectations among residents.
Rationale
However, he questioned the rationale behind the swift demolition exercise without immediate follow-up work.
“If we knew we were not ready for the project to commence, why did we rush to clear these billboards and signages, leaving these businesses in such a perilous situation?” he asked.
Mr. Antwi further highlighted the economic impact of the exercise, noting that businesses – particularly hotels and shops – are now struggling due to reduced visibility after the removal of signage. He also raised concerns about safety, citing the absence of streetlights along the road.
He called for answers from authorities regarding the timeline for the contractor’s return to site and the overall duration of the project, as well as measures to mitigate the impact on affected businesses.
Mixed Reactions
The post has since generated significant engagement, with several users echoing his concerns while others offered alternative perspectives.
A commenter, Paradise Adinkra Boamah Biriko, acknowledged the concerns but urged patience, suggesting that delays may be due to technical requirements such as the relocation of utility infrastructure, including water pipes, electricity lines, and national security cables. He also raised questions about the fate of permanently affected buildings.
Another user, Kwaku Kyei Mickukye, described the situation as unfair to local business owners, emphasizing the need for swift intervention if the delays persist.
Isaac Dwomo also weighed in, calling the concerns “very legitimate” and urging leaders to provide clear explanations to the public.
Concerns about infrastructure damage were also raised by Kyeremeh Faisal, who noted that the exercise has disrupted underground and aerial fiber optic cables, leading to unreliable communication services.
Meanwhile, Levite Michaels criticized what he described as premature decision-making by political leaders, attributing the situation to poor planning and lack of foresight.
Call for accountability
The situation has sparked broader discussions about project planning, stakeholder engagement, and the economic impact of public infrastructure works on local communities.
As frustration continues to build, residents and business owners are calling on authorities to provide clarity on the status of the project and take urgent steps to address the challenges arising from the delays.
Story by Richard Kofi Boahen, News Editor, rbnewshub.com
