Residents of the Duu electoral area in the Wa East district, Upper West Region have made a collective decision to prohibit all politicians from conducting campaign activities in their locality during the upcoming 2024 election season.
This move serves as a powerful statement of protest against what they perceive as consistent neglect by successive governments.
During a mini durbar held to convey their grievances to government representatives, the residents expressed their frustration over the deplorable state of their roads and the absence of electricity in their electoral area.
The Duu electoral area encompasses three significant farming communities within the Wa East district: Duu, Saahe, and Jonfian.
Home to a population exceeding 5,000 residents, this area boasts vast arable land, promising substantial agricultural potential, with more than 90 percent of its inhabitants engaged in farming activities.
However, the road networks connecting these communities become impassable during the rainy season, effectively isolating the area from the rest of the region. Farmers encounter difficulties in transporting their produce, and pregnant women face challenges accessing healthcare services due to these deteriorating roads.
Investigations conducted by Citi News have uncovered that the road contract was awarded an astonishing 12 years ago. Although drain culverts were initially constructed at the project’s onset, the contractor abandoned the work, leaving commuters in a dire situation.
Following two tragic incidents where young individuals lost their lives while attempting to cross a river to reach Funsi, the district capital of Wa East for healthcare services, some concerned residents took it upon themselves to undertake partial road repairs.
Nevertheless, the neglect extends beyond the road infrastructure.
The Duu electoral area has been without electricity for eight years. Residents assert that electricity poles were originally installed as a means to secure their votes, only to be abandoned afterward.
Fatuma, a 45-year-old resident and women’s leader, stressed that their patience has worn thin. They are demanding their fair share of national resources, emphasizing that they have dutifully paid taxes to the Wa East district assembly.
As the Duu electoral area takes this resolute stance against neglect, their message is unmistakable: they are seeking long-overdue attention and action from those in positions of power. With their voices united, they hold out hope that change is on the horizon.