Election 2024: Shama Constituency Prioritizes Road and Market Development

Inchaban: Residents of the Shama Constituency in the Western Region have underscored poor roads and insufficient market centers as their primary developmental concerns for the upcoming 2024 general elections. These issues were highlighted during a town hall meeting organized by the Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), emphasizing the community's demand for improved infrastructure and economic facilities. According to Ghana News Agency, the town hall meeting was part of the GJA's "Western Region Manifesto Project," supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The initiative aims to engage the electorate in demanding accountability and development from their political leaders. Residents expressed their frustrations over the neglected state of roads and the lack of adequate market facilities, which they believe are crucial for boosting local commerce and improving daily life. During the meeting held in Inchaban, Shama District, community members voiced their concern s about the deteriorating road conditions, which they claim have not been addressed by successive governments. Mr. Justice Coffie, a local resident, emphasized the need for equitable infrastructure development, stating, "The nature of roads in most parts of our constituency is very bad. We also pay tax, so our leaders must ensure we get a fair share of the national roads projects." Furthermore, traffic issues and the scarcity of market spaces were also discussed. Uncle Peter, another resident, highlighted the frequent traffic congestion on the highway from Inchaban to Sekondi Junction, proposing the construction of alternative routes or the expansion of existing roads to alleviate the problem. Additionally, Auntie Bee, a market woman, called for the expansion of market facilities to accommodate more traders and reduce roadside vending. Other developmental challenges such as unemployment, lack of streetlights, sanitation issues, inadequate healthcare facilities, and poor school infrastructure were also menti oned by the constituents. These issues collectively depict a constituency in need of significant attention and investment to foster sustainable development. The meeting concluded with assurances from Mr. Desmond Cudjoe, Chairman of the Western Region GJA, that the concerns raised would be documented and presented to parliamentary candidates for consideration and action. Representatives from both the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party also outlined their development plans for the constituency, seeking to address these critical issues as part of their election campaigns.