Thousands of bags of cocoa locked up

Backpage lead, Dec 2, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
MORE than 30,000 bags of cocoa are locked up in villages in the Amenfi West District of the Western Region following the collapse of some bridges and the road network in the area.
The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr John Gyetuah, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, told the Daily Graphic that the biggest setback to the movement of cocoa and other agricultural produce in the area was the deplorable state of the 68-kilometre Samreboi-Prestea road which had become unmotorable as a result of years of neglect.
He added that the bridges spanning the River Fuli and the River Bisaa on the road had been damaged, making it difficult for vehicles to use the road to cart cocoa to the marketing centres.
Mr Gyetuah said although the district assembly had made an effort to rehabilitate the road, it had not been successful because of the huge amount involved in the work.
The deputy minister said a damaged bridge across the Kwaabisaa-Ohiampeanika, which was awarded to a contractor about two years ago, had still not been repaired.
He said the contractor had explained that he was finding it difficult to get components of the bridge for the repair work.
He added that the Sureso-Samreboi road had also not seen any major repairs for years and commended a timber firm, Samatex Timber Company, for its efforts at keeping the road in shape.
He expressed worry over the fact that even though the bulk of the country’s cocoa was obtained from the area, it had not had its fair share of the national cake.
Mr Gyetuah also called for urgent measures to save houses at Samreboi, Asankragua and Asankra Breman from being damaged as a result of severe erosion.