Poor roads, climate change threaten rural livelihoods - AIG

As I Grow Organisation (AIG), a community development non-governmental organisation working with vulnerable communities, has called for urgent and coordinated interventions to address development challenges confronting deprived rural communities in Ghana.

The organisation said climate change, poverty, inadequate infrastructure, limited healthcare services, poor market access, weak digital connectivity and educational challenges continue to undermine sustainable development in several rural communities.

According to AIG, farmers, women, teachers and schoolchildren in communities including Miawani, New Asuoya, Koransan, Asaase Korkor and Prapra Baabida face multiple challenges that limit their economic opportunities and quality of life.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AIG, Debrah Bekoe Isaac, said more than a decade of working in rural communities had exposed the urgent need for coordinated interventions from government, civil society organisations and development partners.

Climate change threatens farmers

Debrah Bekoe Isaac said climate change was increasingly affecting agricultural production, with farmers struggling to achieve yields they previously depended on for food and income.

He said changing rainfall patterns and prolonged dry periods were making farming increasingly unpredictable, while poor harvests could result in food insecurity and increased poverty.

AIG also said farmers were often forced to sell their produce at very low prices because of poor roads, inadequate storage facilities, limited market access and weak bargaining power.

Debrah Bekoe Isaac cited instances where farmers sold a full bunch of plantain for as little as GH¢20 because they needed immediate income to meet their basic needs.

“When farmers cannot obtain fair prices for their produce, agriculture becomes less attractive, poverty deepens and young people are discouraged from seeing farming as a viable livelihood,” he said.

Women and schools need support

AIG identified limited access to vocational and entrepreneurial skills as another major challenge for women in deprived communities.

The organisation called for increased investment in areas such as tailoring, food processing, agro-processing, soap making, handicrafts and entrepreneurship to help women establish businesses and improve household incomes.

It also raised concerns about inadequate water infrastructure in some rural schools, including communities such as Akyeremanteng and Kyekeku in the Eastern Region.

According to AIG, poor access to water affects sanitation, hygiene and the general learning environment. The organisation has supported some schools and communities with polytanks, rain-gutter systems and boreholes.

Teacher accommodation, roads remain concerns

The organisation said the lack of adequate teacher accommodation in rural communities was also affecting education.

Teachers posted to remote schools often travel long distances to work, with some spending a substantial portion of their salaries on transportation.

Debrah Bekoe Isaac expressed concern about the risks associated with travelling on difficult rural roads, particularly by motorcycle, and called for the provision of teacher accommodation.

AIG further said poor roads make many communities difficult to access during heavy rains, limiting access to markets and essential services.

Digital divide threatens rural children

The organisation also expressed concern about inadequate telecommunications, internet connectivity and ICT facilities in rural schools.

It warned that children without access to computers, internet facilities and modern learning technologies risked being left behind as education increasingly incorporated digital skills.

“Rural children should not be disadvantaged simply because of where they were born,” Debrah Bekoe Isaac said.

He also cited shortages of textbooks, exercise books, uniforms, footwear and school bags as barriers facing children from poor households.

Teenage pregnancy and school dropout

AIG said teenage pregnancy and school dropout remained concerns in some rural communities.

Debrah Bekoe Isaac expressed particular concern about boys aged between 12 and 16 who had dropped out of school and entered the informal motorcycle transport business, commonly known as Okada.

He said poverty and limited opportunities could push young people out of school, exposing them to livelihood and road safety risks.

Call for coordinated action

Debrah Bekoe Isaac called on the Local Government Ministry, Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, civil society organisations and development partners to urgently assess the challenges facing rural communities.

He advocated coordinated interventions covering education, agriculture, roads, water, healthcare, women's empowerment, digital connectivity and livelihoods.

AIG said its interventions, including educational materials, water facilities and women's empowerment programmes, were intended to complement government efforts.

The organisation maintained that investing in rural communities was not merely an act of charity but an investment in Ghana's human capital, economic resilience and sustainable future.