By Francis Blankson
Ashaiman, Jan. 23, GNA – Some residents of the Ashaiman municipality have raised concerns over the impact of dusty roads on their health, businesses, and overall quality of life.
They expressed frustration with the municipal assembly authorities and the central government, demanding accountability for the taxes collected and urging swift intervention to improve road conditions in the area.
They said health hazards and business losses, which were consequences of the emanating dust from the roads, were having a toll on their lives, adding that many of them were experiencing serious health challenges such as respiratory issues.
The residents also criticised authorities for their inaction, despite repeated promises during election campaigns that the roads would be constructed for them.
Mrs. Rakel Ibrahim, a trader in beverages since 2016, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that “the dust doesn’t just make our products look old and unattractive; it also discourages customers from buying.”
“Whenever someone sees dusty bottles, they think the products are expired. We constantly must clean, sometimes scrubbing with sponges just to make them presentable,” she explained.
Mrs. Ibrahim emphasised the challenges of maintaining cleanliness in such conditions, saying, “Even if you bathe before work, by the time you arrive, your clothes are covered in dust, making it look like you haven’t bathed. It’s embarrassing and affects my image as a trader.”
She said as a mother, the situation was particularly difficult for parents, stressing that “I wear a nose mask, but I have a baby, and it’s impossible to fully protect myself or my child. The dust is collapsing my business,” she said, visibly frustrated.
Mr. Mohamed Iddrisu, a dealer in electrical appliances, paints, and hardware, raised similar concerns. “Every day, I sweep and clean, but the dust always returns. It makes my items look old, and customers often complain or refuse to buy.”
He said continuous effort to maintain cleanliness was exhausting, adding that “We pay taxes, yet the assembly has done nothing to improve the situation.”
According to him, “They know the state of the road. Why aren’t they fixing it? They should use the revenue to construct proper roads so we can work in better conditions.”
Miss Juliet Kyei, a shoe dealer, also shared her struggles, explaining how the dust had damaged her stock and health, noting that “The dust makes our items look old and expired, so customers often refuse to buy it. It is collapsing our business; even the minimum profit I hope to make I don’t get because customers complain about the state of the products.”
She said the dust had taken a toll on her health, saying, “I cough so much that sometimes there is blood in it. I get catarrh every day, and all my children are even infected. When I wear a nose mask, it is hard to breathe and still end up coughing,” she lamented.
Ms Mavis Adobea, a dress and accessories dealer, said constant cleaning was required to keep her shop presentable.
“My shop is full of dust no matter how many times I clean it. When eating, the food turns dusty, and our clothes get dirty every day; it is exhausting and affects our profits and our health,’ she said.
Miss Adobea said the government’s inaction has worsened their plight and therefore appealed to the authorities to come to their aid.
GNA