Akyem Wenchi threaten to boycott election

Suhum, (E/R), Nov. 30, GNA- The chiefs and people of Akyem Wenchi in the Kwaebibrem District of the Eastern Region had threatened to boycott the 2008 General Election if government fails to rehabilitate the poor roads in the area.

The threat was issued when Mr. Ofosu Asamoah, the Deputy Regional Minister, paid a courtesy call on Osabarima Atwere Bediako II, chief of Akyem Wenchi at his palace, to officially introduce himself to the traditional ruler.

Residents besieged the chief's palace to make their appeal when they heard of the arrival of the Deputy Regional Minister, who is also a Member of Parliament for Kade constituency.

Osabarima Atwere said the bad nature of roads had affected socio-economic activities of the people citing that they could not transport foodstuffs to market centres at Kade and Akyem Oda. He said most commercial vehicles, which used to ply Kade, Wenchi and Oda have stopped operating on the routes because the roads were bad. Osabarima said drivers of the few vehicles that plied the routes had taken advantage of the situation to charge exorbitant fares adding "I believe it is not their fault since they have sacrifice all those years."

He said the people had kept faith with the Government since it assumed office in 2001 but they have not received their fair share of the national cake.

Osabarima Atwere said, "It is clear that we have not been treated fairly by all past governments and the present administration in terms of road construction."

He commended the Government for the construction of school blocks, the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme, which he said had increased enrolment at the basic school level. Osabarima Atwere said the people's major priority, which had remained unfulfilled for many years was the rehabilitation of the poor roads.

He said he had made several appeals to all past and present transportation ministers for the rehabilitation of Kade-Wenchi and Oda roads but none of his appeal had yielded positive results. Mr. Asamoah appealed to the people to remain calm since plans were far advanced to put the roads in good shape. He assured the people that the Kade-Wenchi-Oda road would be awarded on contract early next year.