{
  "id": 6742624,
  "title": "Demand yours. Don’t block theirs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/demand-yours-dont-block-theirs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T09:59:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/demand-yours-dont-block-theirs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "There is a clear problem with a politics that promotes resentment towards development in other areas instead of advocating for development in one's own community. The ongoing discussion surrounding the proposed Accra-Kumasi expressway serves as a prime example. The current road connecting Accra and Kumasi is in desperate need of repair in numerous locations. It is crucial to hold government accountable for this situation and demand action to fix the existing road. However, the argument that another road should not be built because the current one is in poor condition is flawed. The new expressway will not magically appear in Kumasi; it will traverse through various Ghanaian communities where people reside, work, and raise families. Building new roads generates access to markets, investment opportunities, job creation, and improved logistics. Should these Ghanaians be less deserving of development simply because another community faces road issues? Of course, it is essential to evaluate the project's affordability, traffic potential, and financing options. However, we must be cautious about using \"economics\" as an excuse to prevent development in another community's neighborhood. Should any community sacrifice its growth to satisfy another's economic logic? We are all Ghanaians, and this mindset leads to scarcity being perceived as political warfare. Hospitals in one region become an insult to another, university opportunities in one town signal neglect elsewhere, and a well-designed highway here becomes a reason to protest because another road in a different area requires rehabilitation. This is not a sensible approach to development. Instead, it represents the politics of resentment. We should challenge waste, corruption, inflated contracts, and foolish projects. Nonetheless, if a project demonstrates economic viability, we must not oppose it merely because our community requires similar development. Demand your own development loudly, but do not deny others the same opportunity. The mature response to development in other areas should be: \"Excellent. Now, where is ours?\" Ghana will not achieve progress by simply redistributing disappointment.",
  "summary": "Something is fundamentally wrong with a politics that teaches people to resent development elsewhere instead of demanding development for themselves. The debate over the proposed new Accra Kumasi expressway is a perfect example. The existing Accra Kumasi road is in an extraordinarily bad state in several places. Demand that it be fixed. Shout about it. Hold government accountable. Ask why such an…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}