Cocoa, foodstuffs locked up in Suaman Contituency

Page 13 (pol), Nov 12, 2007

Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Over 1,000 tonnes of cocoa and foodstuffs are locked up in the Torya area of the Suaman Constituency in the Western Region as a result of the break down of a bridge which spans the Torya River on the Torya Junction-Akoskrom feeder road.
The Member of Parliament for Suaman, Mr M.E.K. Ackah, who disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic said that if nothing was done, the over 1,000 tonnes of cocoa would get spoilt and plunge the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and farmers into debt.
“I call on the Department of Feeder Roads to take immediate steps to repair the bridge to facilitate the transportation of goods in the area”.
Mr Ackah said although he had made several appeals about the generally poor condition of roads in the area to the various road sector agencies, they had failed to respond favourably.
He said currently the already bad nature of the 50-kilometre Enchi-Dadieso road had worsen due to the recent incessant rains that hit the area.
Mr Ackah added that deep pot holes had developed at various spots on the road, making it difficult for cars, particularly, small ones to use the road, which is very vital for the evacuation of cocoa from the area to the Takoradi Port.
He suggested that the Mobile Emergency Unit of the Ghana Highway Authority be immediately deployed to work on the road so that the area would not be cut off from the rest of country.
Mr Ackah expressed the hope that his appeal would be heard this time to save the people in the area from their current plight.