The Ayensu Road: For Better or For Worse?

Some pedestrians on the Ayensu Road

Not so long ago, just last semester, the stretch of road from the science taxi station, through to Ayensu Plaza Hostel was not tarred. When some students on Campus during vacation heard the road was being graded, they thought it was just one of those irregular grading exercises to make the road a little bit smooth for drivers, they were shocked to however see that there has been first coat of tar on the road.

Prior to December 2013, most students of the University of Cape Coast, residing at Ayensu area or Amamoma would not have complained much about the dust on the Ayensu road. This was because most of them used the Science Garden – a rather comfortable shortcut foot path to their lecture theaters at Science. After the Science Garden was closed down by the University, students had no option than to ply the dusty Ayensu road during times when it didn’t rain; and the very muddy Ayensu road whenever it rained. This caused a lot of discomfort for students and many started calling for the tarring of arguably the second busiest street on Campus. The prayer of most students were therefore answered when early August this year, while school was still on vacation, the road was given a preliminary coat of coal tar and gravels.

The road a few days after it was tarred. Photo: Facebook/Chrisbeck Nii

But has this been for the better or for the worse? Motorists, particularly taxi drivers have now resorted to reckless speeding on the road, putting the lives of pedestrians and some other motorists in danger. A well-constructed road should have pavements for pedestrians, but this does not seem to be the case with the Ayensu road. There have been demarcations for pavements but the contractor in charge of the project may have well forgotten to finish that part of the road. Pedestrians therefore have to compete with Vehicles on the main road.

The Ayensu road would always be a busy one, especially as the population of the University of Cape Coast continues to increase year after year. The contractor in charge of the road must act fast to complete the pedestrian walking section of the road to make the road safer for all pedestrians. Motorists must limit their speed on the road or a few speed rumps should be provided on the road to deter the motorists from speeding. Dust may have been a problem of the past, but safety is a concern of the present.

A Section of the Ayensu Road

What do you think? Is the Ayensu road better now, with the elimination of dust and mud, or the safety concerns make it worse than before? You can vote below.

From UCCTALKS

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