Youth of Winkogo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region have mounted a blockade on the Winkogo stretch of the Tamale–Bolgatanga highway, demanding urgent repairs to what they describe as a deplorable and life-threatening road.

The aggrieved youth say the poor condition of the road has led to the loss of several lives through frequent road crashes, while the excessive dust generated from the untarred and damaged sections has exposed residents to serious health risks, including respiratory and lung-related diseases.

The protest, which temporarily disrupted vehicular movement along the busy highway, saw the youth locking the road with stones, logs, and other objects to draw attention to their long-standing concerns.

According to them, repeated appeals to relevant authorities to fix the road have yielded no positive results.

At a press conference held on the shoulders of the affected stretch, the youth warned that the action marks only the beginning of a series of demonstrations if authorities fail to respond promptly to their demands.

The press statement was read by Patrick Anaba on behalf of the youth of Winkogo.

Mr. Anaba described the state of the road as a major threat to the safety, health, and economic activities of the community. He noted that commercial drivers and motorcyclists often struggle to navigate the stretch, especially during the rainy season, resulting in frequent accidents, some of which have claimed lives.

“The dust from this road is unbearable. Our people, especially children and the elderly, are developing persistent coughs and other lung-related diseases.

This situation is no longer acceptable,” he stated.

He further explained that Winkogo is an important community along the Tamale–Bolgatanga highway, which serves as a major transit route linking the northern and upper parts of the country.

The poor condition of the road, he said, affects not only residents but also traders, commuters, and travellers who rely on the highway daily.

According to the youth, the bad road is also negatively affecting local businesses, increasing transportation costs, and discouraging economic activities in the area.

They argued that fixing the road would not only save lives but also improve livelihoods and boost development in the Talensi District.

Mr. Anaba emphasised that the press conference should be seen as a formal notice to the government, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Ghana Highway Authority, and other relevant agencies.

He warned that if no concrete action is taken within a reasonable time, the youth would escalate their protests through sustained demonstrations.

The youth, however, appealed for calm among residents and called on authorities to act swiftly to prevent further loss of lives and deterioration of health conditions in the community.