Upper West: Kpare residents threaten to boycott political campaigns over deplorable road

Residents of Kpare and surrounding communities in the Daffiama Bussie Issa District of the Upper West Region have issued a stern warning to politicians and authorities regarding the continued neglect of their primary road.

The community, which has been grappling with worsening transportation and health challenges due to the deteriorating road, has declared that no political campaigns will be welcome in the area if the situation is not addressed promptly.

For years, the residents of Kpare have been pleading with authorities to fix the road that connects their community to neighbouring areas, including Kojokperi and Wa.

The road, once a vital route for commerce and transportation, has now become a symbol of neglect, riddled with potholes and erosion that make it nearly impossible for vehicles to traverse.

On Friday, 9 August 2024, residents of the community, led by the local assembly member, mobilised to fill the gaping holes in the road. They also created diversions around sections of the road that were collapsing.

Speaking exclusively to Asaase News, Sumaila Haruna, the Unit Committee Chairman of the Kpare/Chala electoral area expressed the collective frustration of the community.

“Despite repeated pleas to authorities, no action has been taken on the road. We are therefore urging the public, especially politicians, to refrain from bringing their campaign activities to Kpare ahead of the general elections or risk our wrath.”

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, assembly members, and the unit committee, Haruna highlighted the dire transportation issues facing the community.

“Vehicles can no longer use the road, and it’s affecting every aspect of our lives. The situation is particularly severe when it comes to health, as referral cases to Kojokperi from our clinic are becoming increasingly difficult due to the poor condition of the road.”

The deterioration of the road has had a profound impact on the daily lives of Kpare residents. What was once a bustling route for traders and farmers has now become a dangerous path that poses significant risks to those who attempt to use it.

A representative of the landlords in the community, Angkpalanuba Michael, echoed the concerns raised by Haruna, emphasising the broader implications of the condition of the road. “The bad nature of the road has posed significant challenges to us. This is a major road that needs attention because people from Wa East also use it. We are unable to carry our women in labor to the hospital. A tricycle carrying a woman in labour some time ago even had an accident on the road, which worsened her condition.”

The condition of the road has also affected the local economy, with traders from neighbouring communities like Jolinyiri, Chala, and Kenkelen choosing to bypass Kpare’s market in favour of Bussie Market.

This shift has significantly reduced revenue at the Kpare market, which further exacerbates the economic struggles of the community.

“We are pleading with the District Chief Executive (DCE) and Member of Parliament (MP) to collaborate and fix our road to reduce the stress it causes us,” Michael added.

The deplorable state of the road has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of residents of Kpare. The numerous potholes on the road and parts of them eroded, which increased the risk of accidents and in some cases, these hazards have led to tragic outcomes.

Mumuni Seidu Baani, the Assembly Member for the Kpare/Chala electoral area, expressed his deep concern over the bad nature of the road. “People are dodging the potholes, which could result in accidents. If someone is involved in an accident on this road, they could lose a part of their body. We are very concerned because the road affects our lives in so many ways.”

Baani also warned that the road is on the brink of becoming completely impassable. “The road is caving in, and if it continues, it will finally be cut off, and we will not be able to travel to nearby communities. There is another road linking the community to Wa through Bayiri, but it is also in poor shape.”

The assembly member highlighted the efforts by residents to maintain the road while awaiting government intervention. “We have seen the need to do something on the road to prevent it from completely cutting off as we wait for the government to intervene. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult, especially when it comes to transporting patients to the hospital because vehicles can no longer use the road.”

He indicated that the impact on farmers in the community has been particularly severe. “We are predominantly farmers, and we find it difficult to transport our food produce. This road is our lifeline, and its condition is choking our livelihoods,” Baani added.

With general elections approaching, the residents of Kpare have made it clear that their votes will be contingent on action, not promises. The warning to politicians is unequivocal: “if you want our votes, you must first fix our road. Anything less will be met with the full force of a community that is tired of being ignored.”

The plight of the residents of Kpare has caught the attention of the media. The road, they argue, is a critical piece of infrastructure that serves not just Kpare but several other communities in the region.

As the general elections draw closer, the situation in Kpare is likely to become a flashpoint in the larger political discourse. Whether the road is repaired in time remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the residents of Kpare are no longer willing to be silent about their plight.

Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region

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