The Asante Youth Association has issued a one-month ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate resumption of work on numerous abandoned projects within the Ashanti Region.
They have warned of a large-scale protest if the government does not comply with their request.
Furthermore, the association is urging the government to prioritize development in the region, expressing their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as neglect by the Akufo-Addo-led administration, despite the Ashanti Region being a stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Some of the cited abandoned projects include phases two and three of the Kumasi International Airport, phase two of the Kejetia-Central Market redevelopment project, and the Mother and Baby Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
Road projects in various areas such as the Manso enclave, Kwabre East, Bosomtwe, and others are also mentioned.
Nana Oppong Boadi, the Vice President of the Asante Youth Association, expressed disappointment with the Akufo-Addo government, alleging that the President has not treated Ashanti Region residents fairly.
He warned that if the government does not take prompt action to address their concerns, a protest would be their last resort.
“All Kumasi projects are at a standstill, the Central Market project is abandoned, Komfo Anokye Maternity Block, Airport Project, we don’t know what is going on again. Bosomtwe road we don’t know what is going on again. Manso Nkwanta, Anhiawa Nkwanta, Kwabre roads, no work is going on. They have not started any major work in Suame.”
“From today till November, if these projects are still abandoned, and the contractors of those who are supposed to work are not on the site, we will go there ourselves and see if they are not there, we are going to protest. We will organize all the youth in Asante kingdom to fight. It is uncalled for. The way Asantes rallied behind President Akufo-Addo, we never expected him to do this, he has not been fair to Asantes and NPP people in the region,” he added.
The group also expressed disappointment with Ashanti Region residents in ministerial positions and the numerous Members of Parliament from the region, accusing them of not doing enough to advocate for development.
They threatened to campaign against these MPs in the upcoming general elections if they fail to take measures to ensure the region receives its fair share of development.
A political historian at KNUST, Prof. Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, suggested that the region’s electorate should take strong measures to demand development from the NPP-led government, including resorting to protests, to make their concerns heard and taken seriously.
The Asante Youth Association, in existence for the past 70 years, has been actively advocating for development in the Ashanti Region.