Prince Kobena Abakroh, Assembly member for Ntaakrom-Chavene
There are fears of food shortage in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region, should the government fail to fix all deplorable road networks leading to farming communities in that area.
Some of the residents who spoke to the Daily Statesman said this fear was confirmed two months ago when Ntaakrom, the municipal ”food basket”, was virtually cut off from the Agona Nkwanta main market after heavy downpours.
They bemoaned the deplorable road at Ntaakrom-Agona Nkwanta, which commercial drivers have declined plying, resulting in a sudden food shortage at the market.
“Common foodstuffs, like cassava, plantain, cocoyam, and vegetables, suddenly vanished from the Agona Nkwanta market at that time,” residents lamented.
Few but faithful
According to them, but for a few courageous “Aboboyaa” riders, who risk their lives carting the foodstuff at exorbitant fares, the shortage would have been worse.
They claim some of the farmers who could not afford the increased “aboboyaa” fares had to carry their produce on their heads to Agona Nkwanta, adding that this had led to the death of four people, a man and three women.
To avoid more calamities and food shortages, the residents reiterated the need for the government to fix the Ntaakrom and other road networks in Ahanta West such as Chavene, Alobankata, Princess Town, and Cape Three Point.
Demo threats
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Assembly member for Ntaakrom-Chavene electoral area, Prince Kobena Abakroh.
He told journalists that the Municipal Chief Executive for the area, John Agyare, recently led some Ahanta West chiefs and opinion leaders to engage the Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, on the issue.
Mr Agyare further noted that the Minister had disclosed that although some critical road networks in the municipality had been awarded to a contractor, work seemed not to be ongoing.
The Assembly member threatened that, backed by their chiefs, residents of Ahanta West may be compelled to embark on demonstration against the government if the road networks remain in deplorable state.
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