Youth groups in the Ada Traditional Area have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene in worsening infrastructure and social challenges affecting communities within the enclave, warning that years of neglect are threatening lives and livelihoods.
The petition, submitted on Saturday, May 23, by a group identifying itself as Ada Youth, called for immediate government action to address deteriorating roads, weak healthcare services, inadequate street lighting and persistent coastal erosion in parts of the Greater Accra Region.
According to the group, residents have endured “preventable hardships” caused by decades of underdevelopment despite Ada’s economic importance in fishing, salt production, tourism and agriculture.
“We gather not out of preference for demonstration, but out of necessity and concern for the welfare and future of our communities,” the petition stated.
The youth identified six major roads that they said require urgent rehabilitation, including the Sege-Lolonya Road, Kasseh-Ada Foah Road and Ada Foah-Totope Road.
They argued that the poor state of the roads continues to affect transportation, economic activities and access to essential services within the area.
“How many more lives must be affected before meaningful intervention is undertaken?” the petition questioned.
The group also raised concerns over inadequate street lighting across several communities, saying poor visibility at night has contributed to growing insecurity and increased road safety risks.
On healthcare, the petition cited limited emergency response services, insufficient ambulance coverage and mounting pressure on existing health facilities.
“No resident should lose life or dignity because assistance arrived too late,” the statement said, while commending healthcare workers for operating under difficult conditions.
The youth further appealed for the modernization of the Kasseh Market to improve local commerce and economic activity within the district.
Another major concern highlighted in the petition was the worsening impact of coastal erosion on communities along the Ada coastline.
The group called for renewed sea defence projects to protect vulnerable communities including Akplabanya, Anyam, Azizakpe, Aflive and Azizanya, which continue to face destruction from tidal waves and erosion.
According to the petitioners, the continued environmental threat is putting homes, businesses and livelihoods at serious risk.
The youth group gave the government a three-week ultimatum to begin visible interventions, stressing that the petition should not be interpreted as political confrontation but rather an appeal for urgent development support.
“The people of Ada seek partnership. The people of Ada seek development. The people of Ada seek action. Ada deserves better,” the petition concluded.
The document was signed by the group’s lead convener, Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, and copied to several state institutions, including the Ministries of Roads and Highways, Health, Local Government, and Works and Housing.