More than 85 farming communities in the Bia West District of the Western Region, have been completely cut off due to constant rainfall that has rendered the area inaccessible.
Commercial vehicle drivers playing these communities, especially from Essam-Debiso to Asampanaye, and Sayereno to Benchema, have threatened to withdraw their services if the Ministry of Roads and Highways fails to repair the roads, which are prone to accidents.
Essam-Debiso, Kojoaba, Osei-Kojokrom, are some of the farming communities affected, and farmers have complained of not being able to transport their produce to the marketing centers.
A cocoa farmer at Essam, Opanin Adu Poku, has appealed to the government to rehabilitate the roads to boost economic activities.
On education, he asked the district assembly to as a matter of urgency, ensure the building of more classroom blocks to absorb all children of school going age in the area.
Opanin Poku also called for the extension of electricity to communities in the area to facilitate socio-economic activities.
In a related development, a steel bridge over river Sukusuku on the Akaatiso-Debiso road has collapsed, rendering more than 50 communities within the Akaatiso area inaccessible.
Passengers on board vehicles have to alight and brave through the river to join vehicles at the other bank.
It is alleged that some unpatriotic persons had removed wheel nuts and bolts holding the bridge, which was constructed about 20 years ago, making the structure very weak.
Some farmers also attributed the collapse of the bridge to the operations of Ayum Timber Company, based at Mim in the Asunafo North municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region.
Mr. M.C. Boampong, Member of Parliament for the area, and the District Chief Executive, Mr. Kwabena Tweneboa Kodua, visited the area to assess the situation.
They said the government would rehabilitate roads in the rural area, and pledged to take the matter up with the Department of Feeder Roads and other relevant agencies.
They urged the people to avoid bickering, and unite for accelerated development.
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