Shama-Nyankrom road protest disrupts BECE, halts movement

A protest by youth in Shama-Nyankrom in the Western Region on Monday, May 4, disrupted movement in the area for hours, affecting both industrial transport and candidates sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The demonstrators blocked the main road in the town by burning car tyres and mounting barricades, bringing traffic to a standstill despite the presence of police personnel deployed to the scene.

The action halted the movement of heavy-duty trucks transporting clay to major manufacturing firms, including Twyford Ceramics and Marco Polo Tiles, known for producing tiles and water closets.

However, beyond the industrial impact, the protest also significantly affected education activities, as BECE candidates and their teachers were left stranded and unable to reach their examination centres on time.

Some candidates were forced to wait for hours as access routes remained blocked, raising concerns about delays and disruptions to the nationwide examination.

The protest was organised by a group calling itself the Nyankrom Concerned Youth, who say their actions were triggered by the government’s failure to act on longstanding concerns about the poor state of roads in the community.

Speaking to Channel One TV’s Akwasi Agyei Annim, the group’s leader, Israel Kwesi Eshun, said the demonstration followed the expiration of a one-month ultimatum issued to authorities to ensure contractors returned to site to rehabilitate the deteriorating roads.

According to him, the situation has worsened over time, largely due to the activities of heavy-duty trucks servicing the tile manufacturing companies, which he said have left the main road in a severely damaged and almost unusable condition.

He expressed frustration over what he described as official inaction, warning that the protest would not be a one-off event.

The incident highlights growing tensions in the area over infrastructure neglect, as residents balance the economic benefits of industrial activity with the impact on local roads and daily life.