“Enough is Enough”: residents, Keta Youth Association demand urgent rehabilitation of deteriorating roads in Keta Township
The worsening state of roads within Keta Township has become a major source of public concern, following a strong petition submitted by the Keta Youth Association and residents to the leadership of the Keta Municipal Assembly, calling for urgent government intervention and immediate rehabilitation works across the township.
The petition, signed by the Association’s President, Benard Worlali Awumee, described the deteriorating condition of internal roads in Keta as a long-standing development failure that continues to negatively affect transportation, commerce, tourism, sanitation, and the overall economic image of the municipal capital.
According to the petitioners, many of the roads within the township have remained in deplorable condition for decades, with conditions worsening significantly during rainy periods, thereby creating serious mobility challenges for residents, traders, drivers, students, and visitors.
The Association argued that despite Keta’s status as the municipal capital and home to some of the municipality’s major economic and revenue-generating institutions, little attention has been given to rehabilitating the town’s inner road network.
The petition specifically referenced roads linking major commercial and institutional centres such as the Keta Main Market, GCB Bank, the Keta Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Fort Prinzenstein, and offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority, noting that these critical roads continue to deteriorate despite their economic importance to the municipality.
The petitioners expressed disappointment that the roads within Keta Township were reportedly not prioritised under the government’s flagship “Big Push” infrastructure initiative, describing the omission as deeply concerning, considering the town’s strategic economic and tourism significance.
“The deteriorating road network continues to affect transportation and mobility severely, disrupt commercial activities, limit access to schools and businesses, reduce the operational efficiency of the Keta Main Market, and undermine the township’s overall image and economic growth,” portions of the petition stated.
The Association noted that the affected road network stretches approximately ten kilometres and includes major roads such as Tamekloe Borme, Zion Street, Lagoon View Road, Library Street, Market Street, Amegashie-Afeku Street, Chapman Street, James-Ocloo Street, E.P. Lane, Fort Street, and the GCB link road.
Residents say the poor condition of these roads has become a persistent burden on daily life, especially during heavy rainfall, when sections become muddy, flooded, and nearly inaccessible.
Beyond transportation difficulties, the petition further stressed the broader economic implications of the deteriorating roads, particularly on trading activities within the Keta Main Market and tourism-related businesses along the coastline.
The Association pointed out that Keta remains one of the Volta Region’s major tourism destinations due to attractions such as Fort Prinzenstein and several beach resorts situated along the coast. However, they argued that poor road infrastructure continues to undermine the area’s tourism potential and commercial growth.
According to the petition, roads connecting tourism facilities, residential communities, commercial centres, and health and educational institutions require urgent upgrading to improve accessibility and enhance economic activity within the municipality.
The petitioners, therefore, appealed to the government and relevant authorities to prioritise the full rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads within Keta Township as part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure and economic development in the area.
They further called for the rehabilitation works to include proper drainage systems and improved road connectivity around the market enclave and other economic zones to address recurring flooding and transportation difficulties.
The petition, which was copied to several government officials and traditional authorities, including Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, Wisdom Bondieu Seade, and James Gunu, warned that continued neglect of the township’s roads could further weaken commercial activity and public confidence in local governance.
While acknowledging ongoing development efforts within the municipality, the Association maintained that residents are demanding greater transparency, inclusiveness, and responsiveness in the execution of developmental projects affecting Keta Township.
The group also called for immediate stakeholder engagement involving residents, traders, drivers, youth groups, and traditional authorities to discuss practical solutions to the road crisis and other pressing developmental concerns affecting the township.
The petition concluded with a strong appeal for urgent government action, stressing that the deteriorating condition of roads within Keta Township has persisted for far too long and now requires immediate and decisive intervention.
