Kulugungu youth threaten mass protest over poor roads

The youth of Kulugungu in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region are threatening to embark on a demonstration over the deplorable state of roads in the border community.

They argue that Kulugungu contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy through cross‑border trade and therefore deserves a well‑developed road network to support commercial activities.

Kulugungu, a key border town sharing boundaries with Burkina Faso, also holds historical significance as the location where Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was reportedly targeted in a bomb attack in August 1961. Despite its strategic importance, residents say the community continues to suffer from poor road infrastructure.

A visit to the area revealed severely deteriorated roads, with residents lamenting that repeated appeals to authorities have yielded little to no results.

According to them, officials often cite the ongoing development of the Eastern Corridor Road as the reason for delays in rehabilitating roads in the community. However, the project has yet to reach Kulugungu.

At the border park, several heavy‑duty trucks were seen parked as they prepared to travel to Burkina Faso, Niger and other destinations. Residents insist that the volume of cross‑border commercial activity generates substantial revenue for the state, making the poor condition of the roads even more troubling.

Former Assembly Member for the area, Faruk Alhassan, said efforts during his tenure to secure road rehabilitation were unsuccessful.

The current Assembly Member for the Kulugungu Electoral Area, Abdul Fatawu Tijani, said the poor road network continues to pose serious challenges for residents and businesses. He appealed to the government and relevant authorities to prioritise rehabilitation works to improve transportation and facilitate economic activities.

Resident Seidu Siita compared the condition of roads on the Ghanaian side with those in Burkina Faso, noting that the road from Kulugungu to Ouagadougou is relatively better, while the Ghanaian stretch remains in a deplorable state.

Mr. Siita warned that the youth may be compelled to take action if their concerns continue to be ignored. He said residents could resort to blocking vehicles from leaving the area as a way of pressuring authorities to act.

Other residents also expressed frustration and appealed to the government to urgently rehabilitate the roads. They believe improved road infrastructure would ease movement, enhance cross‑border trade and boost economic activities in the community.

The youth say they remain hopeful that authorities will respond to their concerns before they are forced to hit the streets in protest.