Residents of Sokoban New Site in the Kumasi metropolis are raising alarm over what they describe as a worrying rise in respiratory illnesses among children and adults, blaming persistent dust from the area’s untarred roads.
Many parents say the situation could worsen if urgent steps are not taken to fix the deteriorating roads, which have remained in poor condition for years.
Construction work on the Sokoban New Site road began in 2019 as part of efforts to rehabilitate major roads in Kumasi.
However, residents have indicated that the project has since been abandoned, leaving the road dusty in the dry season and muddy when it rains.
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, residents staged a mini protest to express their frustration over the stalled project and the health risks they say it continues to pose.
Opinion leaders in the community also report an increase in crime, which they link to the poor road network and the lack of proper infrastructure.
Speaking during the protest, a resident, Esther Amua, outlined the daily challenges they face.
“The challenges we face in this community are many. When it is raining, you have to go through mud. You have to always visit the mechanic to check on your tyres, because you are likely to puncture them. If the rains are not coming down, we have to deal with the dust. When you drive past a pedestrian, you will actually feel that you are blowing dust on them,” she said.
Another resident, who gave her name as Esther, said she joined the protest despite having to report to work.
“This morning I have to be at work, but I am here because I am a concerned citizen of the area. I have stayed here for 12 years. At the time, the road was small, but about six years ago, they came to tell us that they wanted to construct the roads and gutters.
“We became happy when we saw the contractors on the roads. When they started with the construction, they widened the road because it is a major road. Only for the contractors to leave the site.
“Election after election, they stopped coming. In the last election, I decided not to vote because I can’t pay taxes, and I live on such a bad road,” she said.
Residents are appealing to the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure the completion of the stalled road project to ease their burden and safeguard their health.
