The people of Ayanfuri in Ghana’s Central Region are literally choking on broken promises. For years, the unpaved road linking their town to Dunkwa-on-Offin has been nothing but a dusty nightmare, and now doctors say it’s making residents sick.
Thick clouds of red dust rise every time a vehicle passes, coating homes, shops, schools and lungs.
Medical officers at the local Pentecost Hospital report a sharp rise in eye infections and upper respiratory problems directly linked to the terrible condition of the road.
The dust is everywhere – in the air people breathe, on the food they eat, and even in the eyes of children walking to school.Local trader Auntie Ama, who runs a small shop right beside the road, can no longer hide her frustration. “Off late I’ve been having issues with my eyes. I struggle to sleep and also experience coughs,” she told Citi News. “I’ve even had to close my shop down because the dust is unbearable.”Her story is repeated across Ayanfuri. Families complain of constant coughing, itchy red eyes, and difficulty breathing. Daily activities that should be simple – opening a shop, walking to the market, or sitting outside – have become a struggle.
The situation has worsened in recent months, turning what was once just an inconvenience into a serious public health concern.Health workers are seeing the impact clearly.
Felix Larbie, Administrator of Pentecost Hospital in Ayanfuri, confirmed that many patients are showing up with symptoms tied straight to the dust. “Patients present eye infections that may be linked to the dust. Lie-in patients in most cases develop upper respiratory infections due to the dust,” he said.
The problem isn’t only physical health. Education is suffering too. Teachers at Ayanfuri Senior High School are requesting transfers because the dusty environment has become unbearable, and student enrolment is dropping as parents look for safer places to send their children.Locals are tired of waiting.
Assemblyman for Ayanfuri, Anin Castro, voiced the anger many feel. “In the first term of the erstwhile NDC government they awarded the road on contract. The NPP did same in both their two terms but the contractors abandoned the project. We were hopeful this NDC government would have included it in the Big Push projects but they didn’t.”
Member of Parliament for the area, Rudolph Amoako Gyampah, is also demanding answers.
He pointed out that the government has already released funds to the contractor, yet work remains stalled. The road is no ordinary stretch – it serves as a vital link connecting the Ashanti, Western and Western North regions.
When it’s in this state, it hurts trade, movement of goods, and the daily lives of thousands who depend on it.For the people living here, the dusty road has become more than just bad infrastructure. It’s a daily reminder that their health and future are being neglected.
Children are growing up with constant coughs, traders are losing income, and teachers are leaving.
The economic cost is mounting alongside the health cost.
Residents are now renewing loud calls for immediate action.
They want the road properly tarred, contractors held accountable, and the dust brought under control before more people fall ill. Health officials are backing the plea, urging authorities to treat this as the public health emergency it has become.Ayanfuri is a hardworking community that deserves better.
The road that should connect and uplift them is instead isolating them in a cloud of dust and disease. Successive governments have talked about fixing it, but talk is no longer enough. The people have waited long enough.As one resident put it simply, the dust doesn’t just cover the road – it covers their dreams. It’s time for decisive action to clear both.