Ahafo chiefs condemn govt stoppage of cocoa roads

Chiefs in the newly created Ahafo Region have joined their counterparts in the Western North Region to complain and also condemn what they say is government’s unexplained termination of various road projects under the Cocoa Roads Programme.

The road projects, initiated by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of President John Dramani Mahama, were aimed at improving the road network in the cocoa-growing areas of the country. Upon assumption of office in January 2017, President Nana Akufo-Addo ordered that the road works and other ongoing infrastructure works across the country should be stopped.

Unhappy with the development, chiefs in the affected communities have in their interactions with the NDC flagbearer urged their citizens to vote and return President Mahama to office “so that you can come and complete the roads and other projects in our area”.

At Nkrankrom in the Asutifi South Constituency, the community speaking through the chief linguist, during a Community Engagement as part of a 3-day #SpeakOut tour of the Ahafo Region, lamented that despite several visits to the District Assembly to enquire about resumption of the project, there has been no response.

“We were only told the project has been stopped because they are investigating the contract. It has been 3 years, and the road works, which started and brought joy to Nkrankrom, remains abandoned”, the linguist stated.

At Wromso, a representative of the chiefs, Nana Kwame Kumah, celebrated President Mahama’s developmental vision, which has benefited their community greatly. He appealed to the NDC leader to urgently construct their roads when he wins the 2020 elections, adding that the road when constructed will be called ‘Mahama Street’.

President Mahama in his response thanked the communities for their support, endorsement and acknowledgement of the NDC’s developmental projects. He also assured the chiefs and people of the immediate resumption of all abandoned roads and projects.

He also promised cocoa farmers that he will resume the supply of free fertilisers, distribute new cocoa seedlings and pay improved cocoa producer price including bonuses to farmers. He described the decision to sell fertiliser to cocoa farmers as insensitive and affecting overall production.

President Mahama also challenged the media to visit the cocoa growing areas and cross-check the complaints of the farmers and chiefs about policy decisions that are affecting the Ghana’s cocoa production, and also the abandoning of cocoa roads.

Accompanied by the NDC National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, regional and constituency executives, members of parliament and parliamentary candidates, President Mahama visited Ntotronso, Obengkrom, Goaso, Wromso, Nkrankrom and Sienchem on day one of his tour.