By Fiifi Nettey, Media Consultant, Accra
Walking through the streets of Accra, one cannot help but notice the numerous structures crying out for attention. Many of these once-grand buildings now stand neglected—some trapped in legal disputes, others simply abandoned because occupants see no immediate need to care for them.
What began as a need for routine maintenance has now escalated into a desperate need for structural repair. It is heartbreaking to witness such decay, especially knowing these buildings were erected by prominent individuals and ancestors who sacrificed so much to provide a legacy for future generations. Sadly, that legacy is being left to crumble.
A National Habit of Neglect
I often wonder how we reached this point—where public infrastructure is left unattended at the mercy of the elements. Across the city, one sees streetlights that no longer function, some even knocked down by vehicles and left rusting by the roadside. Roads are riddled with potholes that make driving a hazard, and traffic lights remain out of service, creating unnecessary congestion and disorder.
Perhaps many of us do not understand the true value of “preservation.” This indifference has seeped deep into our national character. When we neglect what we own individually, that same attitude inevitably spills over into the public sector.
Poor maintenance culture has become a social and economic canker. We see countless new buildings begin to deteriorate within just a few years of completion. While it is easy to blame contractors for shoddy work—and in some cases, they deserve it—the larger issue is our attitude. We do not maintain; we wait for total breakdown so we can “repair.”
The Blame Game vs. The Reality
Some argue that our infrastructure fails because of inferior materials. However, every major project has a supervisory team responsible for quality control. If they fail to inspect materials or allow substandard work to pass, they must be held accountable. Yet, the real problem lies with us—the users and custodians. Our disregard for upkeep is alarming. If the state enforced routine maintenance schedules, Ghana could save billions of cedis.
Edited by Ruth Abla ADDJORLOLO
