Chiefs of Kenyasi No 1, No 2, and Hwidiem in the Asutifi North and South Districts in the Ahafo Region say they will support the youths there to stage a mammoth protest against government if the stalled Kenyasi-Hwidiem road is not completed.

The deplorable nature of the road continues to affect lives and businesses in the three mining communities.

Before the 2020 general elections, President Nana Akufo-Addo while on a campaign tour, told the chiefs that he would see to the completion of the Kenyasi-Hwidiem road and other town roads in the communities.

The road construction, indeed, started but was later abandoned after the elections, sparking agitations and protests from the chiefs and residents for years.

With the support of Newmont Ahafo South Mines, the contractor came back to the site to continue the less than 10km road.

But in a situation where residents can’t wrap their heads around it, the contractor, again, abandoned the project halfway for close to a year.

At a press conference at Kenyasi No. 1, the Chiefs, clad in black and red, lamented over the non-completion of the remaining stretch of a project they alleged is fully funded by Newmont Ahafo South per documents.

The Saamanhene of Kenyasi No 1, Nana Anim Dankwah, said they would support the planned demonstration by the youth if the government fails to bring the contractor back to the site.

“What we are saying is that, wherever Kofi Job is (the contractor), if it is about money, give it to him so that he can return to the site and complete the road”, he said to the government.

He noted that the youth and residents from the communities have informed them that if the contractor doesn’t return to the site to work after the press conference, then they will be left with no option but to stage a mammoth demonstration against the government.

“And we chiefs from the three traditional areas will be there to support the demonstration”, he added.

The Apersemakahene of Kenyasi No. 2, Nana Owoahene Acheampong, said the youth plans to start the protest at their palaces because they feel they have not mounted enough pressure on government.

“We appeal to President Akufo-Addo to do the needful before the demonstration date because we can’t run away and leave our communities behind, the rage of the residents over the road is real”, he said.

Richard Mensah, a taxi driver, expressed his frustrations over the frequent visit to the mechanic shop with almost his daily earnings and appealed to the president to heed calls to fix the road.