Residents of Manso Mem and Domi, two farming communities in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, are appealing to the government and relevant authorities to urgently address their worsening power supply challenges and rehabilitate their severely deteriorated road network.
The two communities, which are connected by a seven-kilometer stretch of untarred road, have been battling poor road conditions for many years. Locals say the situation has severely hampered economic activities, especially farming and the transportation of goods, as the communities depend heavily on agriculture for survival. According to residents, the road becomes extremely dusty during the dry season, creating serious health concerns, and turns muddy and impassable during the rainy season, cutting them off from neighboring towns and markets.
Speaking to journalists, the Assembly Member for the Mem/Domi Electoral Area, Hon. James Osei, expressed deep frustration over what he described as years of neglect. He explained that the poor road network has affected every aspect of life, from education and healthcare to business and farming. He lamented that pregnant women, the elderly, and schoolchildren are particularly vulnerable, as accessing basic services is a daily struggle whenever the weather changes.
Hon. Osei also raised serious concerns over the unreliable electricity supply in the area. He explained that the communities’ transformer is unable to meet the growing demand for power, leading to frequent power outages and damaging electrical appliances. Many residents, he said, have had their refrigerators and other household gadgets destroyed due to constant power fluctuations, adding to their financial burden. “These communities are expanding, but our transformer cannot supply constant electricity. This is destroying people’s fridges and electrical gadgets. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid,” he said.
Some residents shared heartbreaking stories of their daily struggles. Madam Akosua Afriyie, a resident, recounted how she had saved for months to buy a refrigerator, only to have it damaged by erratic power supply. “It’s heartbreaking to save money and buy an appliance only for it to be destroyed because of power issues. We are begging the authorities to help us with a bigger transformer and fix our roads,” she pleaded. A farmer, Kwame Antwi, explained that transporting farm produce to markets has become a nightmare, as drivers are reluctant to ply the road due to its poor state. He revealed that many farmers incur losses because their goods spoil before reaching buyers, discouraging the youth from venturing into farming.
The people of Manso Mem and Domi are therefore calling on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Electricity Company of Ghana, and the Amansie South District Assembly to intervene and provide them with proper infrastructure. Residents believe that fixing the road and upgrading the power system will transform their lives and boost the local economy, which relies heavily on agriculture. They hope their plea will reach the authorities and lead to urgent action before their situation worsens.
