Story:Della Russel Ocloo, Zeenu, near Ashaiman
THE sitting of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retail outlet close to the Ashaiman Gloryland International School and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) cluster of schools at Zeenu, near Ashaiman in the Tema metropolis is creating uproar among residents in the community.
Apart from its closeness to the two schools, the facility which has a capacity of holding 45,000 liters, an approximate of 26,000 kilograms of LPG Gas is also situated at about 50 meters from an existing LPG station and two fuel stations which have been in operation in the vicinity for several years.
The residents fear that, the situation could cause havoc in the event of an explosion following the nearness of all four centers to Zeenu market as well as residential facilities within the surroundings of the outlet.
According to the residents association, various disasters recorded nation-wide which resulted from explosions in the past were wake up call for authorities to ensure the relocation of the facility.
They claim, emissions from the existing LPG facility often linger in the area for days, sometimes into weeks, thus the progression on the second facility which has been described as the biggest in the metropolis would pose greater health risks to residents and the thousands of school children learning close to the facility.
The Chairman of the Residents Association, Mr Peter Sotie, enumerating their concerns to the Daily Graphic indicated that, the location of the plant was earmarked by the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) for the erection of a fuel station in 2001when a re-demarcation exercise was carried out in the area.
“After the re-demarcation, the land was resold to the present occupants who later in 2008 began construction works on the outlet against the fuel dump station in the outlined in the original layout,” he se stated.
Mr Sotie pointed out that, the new development which he described as a threatening led to the association’s decision to petition the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) amongst other stakeholder groupings.
The NPA in a correspondence signed by its former chief executive, Mr J.D Attafuah to the group denied issuing permit for the project.
The said correspondence also mandated a technical team to conduct an inspection of the area and recommend appropriate measures to forestall peace between the feuding parties.
Mr Sotie said personnel from the technical division of the NPA later toured the site on a fact finding mission in 2008 where residents were assured their concerns would be addressed appropriately.
“We were however astonished the project took off in earnest during the later part of 2009 after several agitations for its relocation,” he lamented.
Residents were of the view; the NPA technical team that inspected the project site might have compromised their position leading to the erection of the plant.
While calling on authorities to ensure a relocation of the facility, they have also called for an investigation into the activities of officials of the Tema Regional Office of the EPA, as well as those of the NPA who spearheaded the granting of permit for the construction of the facility.
The Tema Regional Manager of the EPA, Ms Irene Heathcote when contacted confirmed a receipt of complaints from the residents.
According to her, the issue which has been pending for the past three years was being addressed at the EPA head office who recently undertook a tour of the site to ascertain the reality residents’ claims.
In a sharp rebuttal, wife of the owner of the facility, Madam Pricilla Stephens in a telephone interview express disgust at the complaints of the people. She denied suggestions that, they acquired for the permit using illegitimate means, as the documents from the various agencies were granted legally for their operations.
According to her, those agitating against the sitting of the facility were illegal occupants in the area and accused the owner of the Gloryland School of inciting residents against them.
Monday, February 14, 2011
PZ CUSSONS DONATES TO ASHAIMAN GPRTU, DAILY GRAPHIC, MON FEB 14, 2011, (PAGE 23)
Story: Della Russel Ocloo, Ashaiman
PZ CUSSONS Ghana Limited manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceuticals, toiletry and cosmetics products have donated items Robb branded products to the Ashaiman branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) as part of its corporate social responsibility to support the people in the community they operates.
The donation valued at GH¢2,500 was made up of 2 cartons each of Robb Junior, Robb Super Intense Heat, 4milligram of ROBB Ointment, 25ml of Robb ointment, Robb Inhaler and 50 ROBB branded First Aid Boxes with functioning torchlight. The first aid box also contained items such bandages, plasters, a pair of clinical scissors and amongst others.
Making the donation, Marketing Manager of Personal Care, Mr Jerry Boachie Danquah, said his outfit found it expedient to support the commercial drivers whose occupation was strenuous and as such reward them.
He said the first aid boxes were to serve as reminders to all drivers to cultivate the culture of carrying such medical aids in their vehicles to save the lives of their passengers.
A Trustee of the Ashaiman GPRTU, Mr. Augustine Kyeremeh, who received the items on behalf of the group, commended PZ Cussons for the gesture.
He was hopeful the items would go a long way towards the reduction of stress levels amongst drivers. The company also used the occasion to outdoor Robb Supper and Junior Robb to its variants.
The introduction of the two brands to the Robb family was to allow consumers preference between the existing Robb original and Robb inhaler which has been in existence since 1962. The Robb Super according to company officials provides intense heat towards the treatment of severe pains whereas the Junior Robb provides a mild effect on children.
The two products Mr Boachie-Danquah said were subjected to vigorous laboratory analysis before being churned onto the market.
PZ CUSSONS Ghana Limited manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceuticals, toiletry and cosmetics products have donated items Robb branded products to the Ashaiman branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) as part of its corporate social responsibility to support the people in the community they operates.
The donation valued at GH¢2,500 was made up of 2 cartons each of Robb Junior, Robb Super Intense Heat, 4milligram of ROBB Ointment, 25ml of Robb ointment, Robb Inhaler and 50 ROBB branded First Aid Boxes with functioning torchlight. The first aid box also contained items such bandages, plasters, a pair of clinical scissors and amongst others.
Making the donation, Marketing Manager of Personal Care, Mr Jerry Boachie Danquah, said his outfit found it expedient to support the commercial drivers whose occupation was strenuous and as such reward them.
He said the first aid boxes were to serve as reminders to all drivers to cultivate the culture of carrying such medical aids in their vehicles to save the lives of their passengers.
A Trustee of the Ashaiman GPRTU, Mr. Augustine Kyeremeh, who received the items on behalf of the group, commended PZ Cussons for the gesture.
He was hopeful the items would go a long way towards the reduction of stress levels amongst drivers. The company also used the occasion to outdoor Robb Supper and Junior Robb to its variants.
The introduction of the two brands to the Robb family was to allow consumers preference between the existing Robb original and Robb inhaler which has been in existence since 1962. The Robb Super according to company officials provides intense heat towards the treatment of severe pains whereas the Junior Robb provides a mild effect on children.
The two products Mr Boachie-Danquah said were subjected to vigorous laboratory analysis before being churned onto the market.
TEMA REGISTERS MORE UNDER NHIS, DAILY GRAPHIC, SAT FEB 12, 2011 (PAGE 18)
Story: Della Russel Ocloo
THE Tema Metropolitan Mutual Health Insurance Scheme registered 386,320 persons last year. Within the same peroid, about 60,070 persons also registered under the scheme’s mass registration programme between October-December 2010. The figure represents a 60percent increase over that of 2009.
The Tema Metropolitan Scheme Manager, Mr Douglas Annan disclosed this at an outreach programme organised by the scheme at Ashalley Botwe, near Adenta.
The programme termed, health insurance clinic according to the Mr Annan was part of the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) 2011 strategic policy initiative. It was also aimed at reducing misconception about the operations of the scheme.
The outreach clinic which was under the auspices of Liberty Mutual Healthcare would also be taken to communities such as Appolonia, Kakasunaka No 1, Zeenu, Community 2, Adjei Kojo and Kanewu, all in the Tema metropolis.
It also had the support from Narbita Hospital, New Crystal Hospitals, Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) amongst other providers.
The rural idea according to Mr Annan was to ensure underprivileged communities do not miss out on access to quality health care.
The scheme manager pointed out that, the initiative was intended to educate residents on disease prevention with special emphasis on productive measures towards preventive medicine as opposed to curative medicine.
Public Relations Officer of the scheme, Ms Kafui Gunu-Kuekey appealed to corporate institutions within the Tema metropolis to incorporate into their social responsibility programmes the health needs of residents who formed a chunk of their clientele.
She said enrolling the vulnerable onto the scheme by institutions and organisations would go a long way towards increasing accessibility to health while reducing pressure on government’s resources.
Participants at the programme were screened and educated on Hepatitis B, Diabetes, HIV/AIDs, amongst other diseases. Officials also provided eye and body max index services to the community.
The Adenta Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr Justice Hoffman said, the absence of public health institutions in the municipality had contributed to the rise in cost of healthcare for residents who solely depend on few private facilities.
These private facilities he said cater for the health needs of the over 155, 000 residents in the municipality.
“A worrying fact has to do with pregnant and nursing mothers who are not able to access quality healthcare owing to their inability to enroll on the NHIS scheme resulting from resource constraints”, he lamented.
Dr Hoffman also expressed worry at the increase rate of communicable diseases particularly malaria in the municipality. He indicated that, studies conducted in the borough indicates that, majority of residents do not have access to mosquito nets, whereas those who were privileged do not make use of them. A situation he described as worrying and appeal
He appealed to government and the municipal assembly to speed up work on the three government health facilities under construction to help ease congestion at the private facilities.
THE Tema Metropolitan Mutual Health Insurance Scheme registered 386,320 persons last year. Within the same peroid, about 60,070 persons also registered under the scheme’s mass registration programme between October-December 2010. The figure represents a 60percent increase over that of 2009.
The Tema Metropolitan Scheme Manager, Mr Douglas Annan disclosed this at an outreach programme organised by the scheme at Ashalley Botwe, near Adenta.
The programme termed, health insurance clinic according to the Mr Annan was part of the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) 2011 strategic policy initiative. It was also aimed at reducing misconception about the operations of the scheme.
The outreach clinic which was under the auspices of Liberty Mutual Healthcare would also be taken to communities such as Appolonia, Kakasunaka No 1, Zeenu, Community 2, Adjei Kojo and Kanewu, all in the Tema metropolis.
It also had the support from Narbita Hospital, New Crystal Hospitals, Cocoa Processing Company (CPC) amongst other providers.
The rural idea according to Mr Annan was to ensure underprivileged communities do not miss out on access to quality health care.
The scheme manager pointed out that, the initiative was intended to educate residents on disease prevention with special emphasis on productive measures towards preventive medicine as opposed to curative medicine.
Public Relations Officer of the scheme, Ms Kafui Gunu-Kuekey appealed to corporate institutions within the Tema metropolis to incorporate into their social responsibility programmes the health needs of residents who formed a chunk of their clientele.
She said enrolling the vulnerable onto the scheme by institutions and organisations would go a long way towards increasing accessibility to health while reducing pressure on government’s resources.
Participants at the programme were screened and educated on Hepatitis B, Diabetes, HIV/AIDs, amongst other diseases. Officials also provided eye and body max index services to the community.
The Adenta Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr Justice Hoffman said, the absence of public health institutions in the municipality had contributed to the rise in cost of healthcare for residents who solely depend on few private facilities.
These private facilities he said cater for the health needs of the over 155, 000 residents in the municipality.
“A worrying fact has to do with pregnant and nursing mothers who are not able to access quality healthcare owing to their inability to enroll on the NHIS scheme resulting from resource constraints”, he lamented.
Dr Hoffman also expressed worry at the increase rate of communicable diseases particularly malaria in the municipality. He indicated that, studies conducted in the borough indicates that, majority of residents do not have access to mosquito nets, whereas those who were privileged do not make use of them. A situation he described as worrying and appeal
He appealed to government and the municipal assembly to speed up work on the three government health facilities under construction to help ease congestion at the private facilities.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
ATUA GOVT HOSPITAL NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION, DAILY GRAPHIC, TUE FEB 8, 2011 (CENTER SPREAD)
Story: Della Russel Ocloo, Odumase-Krobo
THE Atua Government Hospital in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region, which serves as a medical referral center for cases from the Yilo Krobo, Upper Manya, Dangme West and the Asuogyaman District Assemblies is in a deplorable state.
A visit by the Daily Graphic to the facility revealed that its surgical operating theatre is no longer able to meet the demand for surgical services by patients, due to an increase in the number of cases which were reported at the hospital daily.
The visit further revealed that the facility had no surgical wards, recovery rooms or equipment for monitoring the recovery or otherwise of patients. Ventilation in various parts of the hospital was generally poor and water supply inadequate.
As a result of inadequate facilities, doctors and nurses on duty share one apparel changing room. The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Alexander Osei-Bonsu said most of the surgical equipment available had become obsolete.
Dr Osei-Bonsu said, the situation has made it impossible for the hospital to treat major cases referred from the five district health centers and thus often referred many of such cases to the Tema and Koforidua government hospitals.
Dr Osei-Bonsu said reports reaching him indicated that as a result of the situation at the Auta Government Hospital, many people in the catchment area of the hospital had reverting to dependence on traditional medicines because of the long distance between many of the communities in the catchment area and the government hospitals at Tema and Koforidua.
He expressed optimistic, an approach in health financing by government, stakeholders and corporate institutions was one sure way of prolonging the country’s life expectancy as well reducing incidents of maternal and child morbidity.
He appealed to corporate organizations, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders in the health delivery sector, to support the hospital in its efforts to make a worthy contribution towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
THE Atua Government Hospital in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Eastern Region, which serves as a medical referral center for cases from the Yilo Krobo, Upper Manya, Dangme West and the Asuogyaman District Assemblies is in a deplorable state.
A visit by the Daily Graphic to the facility revealed that its surgical operating theatre is no longer able to meet the demand for surgical services by patients, due to an increase in the number of cases which were reported at the hospital daily.
The visit further revealed that the facility had no surgical wards, recovery rooms or equipment for monitoring the recovery or otherwise of patients. Ventilation in various parts of the hospital was generally poor and water supply inadequate.
As a result of inadequate facilities, doctors and nurses on duty share one apparel changing room. The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Alexander Osei-Bonsu said most of the surgical equipment available had become obsolete.
Dr Osei-Bonsu said, the situation has made it impossible for the hospital to treat major cases referred from the five district health centers and thus often referred many of such cases to the Tema and Koforidua government hospitals.
Dr Osei-Bonsu said reports reaching him indicated that as a result of the situation at the Auta Government Hospital, many people in the catchment area of the hospital had reverting to dependence on traditional medicines because of the long distance between many of the communities in the catchment area and the government hospitals at Tema and Koforidua.
He expressed optimistic, an approach in health financing by government, stakeholders and corporate institutions was one sure way of prolonging the country’s life expectancy as well reducing incidents of maternal and child morbidity.
He appealed to corporate organizations, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders in the health delivery sector, to support the hospital in its efforts to make a worthy contribution towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
TEMA PARENTS ASSOCIATION SCHOOL PTA, MANAGEMENT TEAM DISAGREE, DAILY GRAPHIC, MON FEB 7, 2011 (PAGE 11)
Story: Della Russel Ocloo, Tema
CONCERNS raised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the Tema Parents Association School on the need for the institution's accounts to be audited have seen the school’s PTA and its four-member management team on a collision course.
The management team headed by the acting Headmaster, Mr Abraham Ekow Afer, in a strongly worded eight-point resolution signed by him (Mr Afer) and two others, namely Mrs Doris Azu, and Mr Johny Kwasie, both executive members of the school’s welfare association, to the PTA executive, cautioned that the school no longer needed its existence to operate.
According to the letter, the PTA could not prompt management on the said issues owing to the school’s registered status as a company limited by guarantee under the Company’s Code of 1963 of which PTA was not incorporated into its structure.
The letter accused the PTA executive, which has Justice Senyo Dzamefe an Appeal Court Judge, as its chairman, of usurping powers and interfering in the day-to-day running of the school.
At an emergency meeting of the school’s PTA held at the weekend to discuss the administration of the school, the PTA chairman indicated that currently, there was no existence of a board of directors and a substantive headmaster at the school thus contributing to the loss of central authority.
That, he said, resulted from the fallout of a legal tussle between the school’s management and its former headmistress, Mrs Nsaki Kaseem, over the last two years.
The situation, he recalled, saw the freezing of the school’s accounts of which Mrs Kaseem was a signatory resulting from a stay of execution motion filed by the outgone board of directors. Currently, Mr Dzamefe noted, the management received GH¢800,000 in hard cash per term as fees.
He told the meeting that the monies had over the last three terms been lodged in the school’s Teachers’ Welfare Account, which is interest yielding and which has two teachers as signatories.
He described the situation as distressing and wondered what would happen in the event of the said signatories to the welfare account vacating their posts.He also expressed regret at the falling academic standards in the school over the past two years resulting in the school placing 28th on the league table of best performing schools in the Tema metropolis.
Justice Dzamefe said parents, being the major stakeholders in the school, could not sit down unconcerned while the four-member management team who were employees ran down the school.
Parents present at the meeting tasked the executive to arrange a meeting and endeavour to address concerns regarding accountability, classification and qualification of tutors.The PTA chairman said this would be the last option.
CONCERNS raised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the Tema Parents Association School on the need for the institution's accounts to be audited have seen the school’s PTA and its four-member management team on a collision course.
The management team headed by the acting Headmaster, Mr Abraham Ekow Afer, in a strongly worded eight-point resolution signed by him (Mr Afer) and two others, namely Mrs Doris Azu, and Mr Johny Kwasie, both executive members of the school’s welfare association, to the PTA executive, cautioned that the school no longer needed its existence to operate.
According to the letter, the PTA could not prompt management on the said issues owing to the school’s registered status as a company limited by guarantee under the Company’s Code of 1963 of which PTA was not incorporated into its structure.
The letter accused the PTA executive, which has Justice Senyo Dzamefe an Appeal Court Judge, as its chairman, of usurping powers and interfering in the day-to-day running of the school.
At an emergency meeting of the school’s PTA held at the weekend to discuss the administration of the school, the PTA chairman indicated that currently, there was no existence of a board of directors and a substantive headmaster at the school thus contributing to the loss of central authority.
That, he said, resulted from the fallout of a legal tussle between the school’s management and its former headmistress, Mrs Nsaki Kaseem, over the last two years.
The situation, he recalled, saw the freezing of the school’s accounts of which Mrs Kaseem was a signatory resulting from a stay of execution motion filed by the outgone board of directors. Currently, Mr Dzamefe noted, the management received GH¢800,000 in hard cash per term as fees.
He told the meeting that the monies had over the last three terms been lodged in the school’s Teachers’ Welfare Account, which is interest yielding and which has two teachers as signatories.
He described the situation as distressing and wondered what would happen in the event of the said signatories to the welfare account vacating their posts.He also expressed regret at the falling academic standards in the school over the past two years resulting in the school placing 28th on the league table of best performing schools in the Tema metropolis.
Justice Dzamefe said parents, being the major stakeholders in the school, could not sit down unconcerned while the four-member management team who were employees ran down the school.
Parents present at the meeting tasked the executive to arrange a meeting and endeavour to address concerns regarding accountability, classification and qualification of tutors.The PTA chairman said this would be the last option.
YOUNG ADULTS FELLOWSHIP DONATES TO TEMA POLYCLINIC, DAILY GRAPHIC, MON FEB 7, 2011 (PAGE 23)
Story: Della Russel Ocloo, Tema
THE Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) of the Tema Joint Church has donated 10 plastic chairs, detergents and toiletries at the cost of GHC1200 to the Tema Polyclinic.
The donation according to the group was to assist the hospital through the provision of logistics towards effective health delivery.
President of the group, Mr Samuel Kwadade Yirenkyi presenting the items said the donation forms part of their social responsibility obligations to society as a Christian organisation.
According to him, the group’s decision to reach out to the underprivileged society has seen them outline various outreach programmes for the year.
He was optimistic; the donation would be utilized effectively by hospital officials as they made strides towards providing quality healthcare to its teeming clients.
The Senior Medical Officer at the facility, Dr William Darko who received the items on behalf of the hospital, commended the club for the gesture which he said would go a long way to alleviate basic logistic problems facing the facility.
He pointed out that, the facility which currently serves as a major provider to health centers scattered across deprived communities in the metropolis was under immense pressure.
According to him, the facility which was built some 50years ago has not witnessed any major renovation, thus putting the life of workers and clients at risk following the weak nature of the structure housing the facility.
Continuing, Dr Darko, the unavailability of sufficient staff to cater for the over 300 daily out patients department (OPD) attendance has seen an ascendency in patient-doctor ratio.
He called for further assistance from corporate institutions as well as the metropolitan assembly towards addressing the challenges
THE Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) of the Tema Joint Church has donated 10 plastic chairs, detergents and toiletries at the cost of GHC1200 to the Tema Polyclinic.
The donation according to the group was to assist the hospital through the provision of logistics towards effective health delivery.
President of the group, Mr Samuel Kwadade Yirenkyi presenting the items said the donation forms part of their social responsibility obligations to society as a Christian organisation.
According to him, the group’s decision to reach out to the underprivileged society has seen them outline various outreach programmes for the year.
He was optimistic; the donation would be utilized effectively by hospital officials as they made strides towards providing quality healthcare to its teeming clients.
The Senior Medical Officer at the facility, Dr William Darko who received the items on behalf of the hospital, commended the club for the gesture which he said would go a long way to alleviate basic logistic problems facing the facility.
He pointed out that, the facility which currently serves as a major provider to health centers scattered across deprived communities in the metropolis was under immense pressure.
According to him, the facility which was built some 50years ago has not witnessed any major renovation, thus putting the life of workers and clients at risk following the weak nature of the structure housing the facility.
Continuing, Dr Darko, the unavailability of sufficient staff to cater for the over 300 daily out patients department (OPD) attendance has seen an ascendency in patient-doctor ratio.
He called for further assistance from corporate institutions as well as the metropolitan assembly towards addressing the challenges
CHECK ILLEGAL ROAD BLOCKS IN TEMA, DAILY GRAPHIC, MON FEB 7, 2011 (PAGE 23)
Story: Della Russel Ocloo, Tema
THE creation of illegal road blocks and humps in various townships including the Tema Metropolis and Ashaiman Municipality has become a common practice by residents and traders of those areas.
These residents and traders practice their illegal skills mainly in new and developing settlements as well as areas with untared roads.
The use of all sorts of materials such as stones, logs, baskets dustbins and boxes to block the roads to compel drivers and other users to slow down on getting to the blocked spots.
The practice has been ongoing for sometime now and because those who do that are not sanctioned, it is fast gaining root and spreading to other areas to the extent that, people think they own portions of the road because they either live close by or undertake activities in those areas.
Residents in suburbs such as Middle East, Newtown, Official Town, all in the Ashaiman municipality have resorted to the illegal practice resulting from traffic congestion along the main Michel Camp-Tema Motorway stretch as well as entire Ashaiman township. The situation is not different at community 10, 2 and 3, where immense road works are ongoing.
The use of logs, stones, lorry tyres amongst other objects as well as the construction of unapproved speed ramps by residents in various suburbs where access routes available to motorists has become the latest trend in the above mention communities.
Road construction in Tema and Ashaiman has over the past 7months witnessed heavy vehicular traffic congestion along major stretches, thus access routes within the various suburbs have been serving as reprieve for road users in reaching their destinations.
A tour of the routes revealed, various objects have positioned in the middle of the road to prevent motorists a right of entry.
A resident at Middle East who spoke to the Daily Graphic on condition of anonymity pointed out that, over speeding on the part of the users have prompted them into those decisions to deny them admission.
According to him, most drivers become overzealous in their attempt to divert traffic through the suburb, thus their approach apart from endangering the life of children in the area has also led to the admission of dust particles into their homes.
Motorists are thus appealing to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), the Department of Urban Roads and the Tema Metropolitan and Ashaiman Municipal Assemblies to check the practice.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman, Mr Numo Adinortey, in an interview with this reporter condemned the illegal blockades being created by residents.
According to him, the said links were demarcated for use by motorists when construction works took off in earnest within the municipality and was thus astonished, residents have taken such stance. He has however given an assurance to deploy city guards to the affected suburbs to ensure sanity.
Mr Kempes Ofosuware of the TMA on the other hand said his outfit has position personnel in the affected areas to control issues of over speeding being raised by residents.
THE creation of illegal road blocks and humps in various townships including the Tema Metropolis and Ashaiman Municipality has become a common practice by residents and traders of those areas.
These residents and traders practice their illegal skills mainly in new and developing settlements as well as areas with untared roads.
The use of all sorts of materials such as stones, logs, baskets dustbins and boxes to block the roads to compel drivers and other users to slow down on getting to the blocked spots.
The practice has been ongoing for sometime now and because those who do that are not sanctioned, it is fast gaining root and spreading to other areas to the extent that, people think they own portions of the road because they either live close by or undertake activities in those areas.
Residents in suburbs such as Middle East, Newtown, Official Town, all in the Ashaiman municipality have resorted to the illegal practice resulting from traffic congestion along the main Michel Camp-Tema Motorway stretch as well as entire Ashaiman township. The situation is not different at community 10, 2 and 3, where immense road works are ongoing.
The use of logs, stones, lorry tyres amongst other objects as well as the construction of unapproved speed ramps by residents in various suburbs where access routes available to motorists has become the latest trend in the above mention communities.
Road construction in Tema and Ashaiman has over the past 7months witnessed heavy vehicular traffic congestion along major stretches, thus access routes within the various suburbs have been serving as reprieve for road users in reaching their destinations.
A tour of the routes revealed, various objects have positioned in the middle of the road to prevent motorists a right of entry.
A resident at Middle East who spoke to the Daily Graphic on condition of anonymity pointed out that, over speeding on the part of the users have prompted them into those decisions to deny them admission.
According to him, most drivers become overzealous in their attempt to divert traffic through the suburb, thus their approach apart from endangering the life of children in the area has also led to the admission of dust particles into their homes.
Motorists are thus appealing to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), the Department of Urban Roads and the Tema Metropolitan and Ashaiman Municipal Assemblies to check the practice.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman, Mr Numo Adinortey, in an interview with this reporter condemned the illegal blockades being created by residents.
According to him, the said links were demarcated for use by motorists when construction works took off in earnest within the municipality and was thus astonished, residents have taken such stance. He has however given an assurance to deploy city guards to the affected suburbs to ensure sanity.
Mr Kempes Ofosuware of the TMA on the other hand said his outfit has position personnel in the affected areas to control issues of over speeding being raised by residents.
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