Nyinahin: Scuffle erupts as residents block RCC from taking DRIP road machines

Tension flared in Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua District in the Ashanti Region, as residents clashed with officials from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) over attempts to retrieve two road construction machines under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).

The equipment, a wheel loader and a bulldozer, was reportedly targeted by Ashanti Regional DRIP Director, Abubakari Idrisu, and his team on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

According to Otec News reporter Benjamin Kwarteng, over a hundred angry residents stormed the district assembly premises to block the move.

The residents warned that any attempt by any person or group of persons to take away the machines will be met with severe resistance.

They insisted the machines were meant to develop their deplorable roads and vowed to resist any attempts to remove them.

The scuffle was defused by District Assembly Coordinator Samuel K. Gyan, preventing a possible violent confrontation.

“The machines were brought to the district to facilitate the construction of our terrible roads in the district, so why should they ever think of coming for the machines. Does it mean we are not human beings?” YK2, an NDC activist, quizzed.

The residents expressed distrust, citing a previous incident where the district’s only fire tender was taken to Kumasi and never returned after the NDC took office.

“Our only fire tender was taken away when our party (NDC) came to power, and never returned, so we will never ever allow these machines to move from this place. We will protect them with our blood,” another resident angrily said.

Background on DRIP

The District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) aims to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the necessary resources and equipment to enhance road infrastructure.

The program consists of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, and tipper trucks.

The RCC team was forced to abort their mission.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Francis Appiah