Schoolchildren in Midie, located in the Ada East District of Greater Accra Region, are forced to trek through deep mud and stagnant water every day to attend school. They carry their schoolbooks and shoes to avoid damage on their journey.
Younger pupils often depend on older classmates for assistance in crossing slippery and treacherous parts of the path. Residents estimate that children must traverse a 50-meter mud section daily to reach Aminapa D/A Basic School, the sole nearby educational facility for the community.
This persistent problem is not new and has been a recurring issue for the community for years. Parents report that the situation worsens significantly during the rainy season. This not only poses dangers to the children but also negatively impacts their regular attendance at school.
There are accounts of a child tragically losing her life previously while attempting to use the same dangerous route under similar difficult conditions. This underscores the severe risks involved for these young learners.
Mr. Thomas Korley, a resident and parent, expressed his deep disappointment. He stated that political leaders have repeatedly promised to improve the road over the years. However, no concrete and lasting solutions have been implemented. "It has not been easy even for adults to use the road, not to talk of schoolchildren who cross it every day to go to school," he said.
Another resident, Mr. Isaiah Korle, corroborated these sentiments. He mentioned that multiple appeals have been made to the assembly member, the district chief executive, and the local Member of Parliament. Despite these efforts, the hazardous stretch of the road remains neglected. "They keep telling us they will come, but nothing happens. What if our children die while trying to cross the stream?" he questioned.
He further noted that while a portion of the road received graveling under a previous administration, the most dangerous part was left untouched. This selective approach to infrastructure development has left the community vulnerable. The lack of a nearby Junior High School (JHS) adds another layer of difficulty. Pupils must travel approximately three kilometers to Togbloku or Pute for JHS, increasing the burden on both students and parents, particularly during the challenging weather conditions of the rainy season.
The poor road network also disrupts economic activities in Midie. Madam Angel Esther, a salt miner, explained that buyers often avoid travelling to Midie to purchase salt due to the road's condition. This makes it hard to sell their produce. Transporting foodstuffs and other goods to nearby markets is also difficult. Commercial motorbike riders hesitate to use the route when it rains. Even for commercial users with tricycles, moving salt becomes a challenge. "Our men and youth have motor tricycles, but they cannot use them to transport salt because of the road. Most times, we hire tractors before we can move the salt to the markets," she added.
When contacted, Mr. Prosper Tetteh Puplampu, the Assembly Member for the area, acknowledged the community's concerns. He confirmed that efforts are underway to provide a temporary fix. He stated that he has reached out to both the DCE and the MP for gravel. This gravel will be used to fill the dangerous section of the road while awaiting a larger construction project. "That portion will be fixed before Sunday. The MP has directed that some trips of gravel be sent to temporarily address the situation," he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
This situation highlights a broader issue of inadequate infrastructure in rural Ghanaian communities, affecting access to basic services like education and hindering economic development. The reliance on temporary measures suggests a slow pace in addressing fundamental infrastructure needs, despite repeated promises from elected officials.