The communities of Wamasi and Kɔkɔtenten in the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region have received a major boost in infrastructure following the construction of a five-kilometer road by businessman and philanthropist Mr. Joshua Agyei. The project, which cost him millions of Ghana cedis, has ended over a decade of transportation challenges that left residents struggling daily.
For years, the bad condition of the road subjected residents to untold hardship. In the rainy season, it became muddy and nearly impassable, while in the dry season it turned dusty and dangerous, making movement difficult for traders, schoolchildren, and farmers. The situation also forced drivers to charge unapproved fares, worsening the economic burden on residents.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Agyei, who is a native of Wamasi , explained that his motivation for undertaking the project came from the blessings of God upon his business. According to him, his flourishing business made it possible to give back to his people in a way that would ease their struggles.
“For more than ten years, the people of Wamasi and Kɔkɔtenten have suffered. Market women and residents were being overcharged by drivers because of the bad road. That is why I decided to construct this new road to make movement easy for the people,” he said. He also appealed to government to come and tar the road permanently to ensure it lasts for future generations.
Mr. Agyei added that this is not the first time he has engaged in philanthropic work to support society. He has in the past built educational facilities, offered financial support to the needy, and undertaken other community development initiatives. He described the road construction as part of his lifelong mission to give back to the people who nurtured him.
He further encouraged other businessmen to take their corporate social responsibility seriously by investing in the communities where they operate. According to him, when the private sector works hand in hand with government, communities benefit more directly and sustainably.
Mr. Agyei also used the opportunity to call on government to strengthen regulation of the mining industry, stressing the need to distinguish between legal mining operators and illegal miners who continue to destroy rivers and water bodies.
Residents of Wamasi and Kɔkɔtenten could not hide their joy after the completion of the project. They explained that the new road has already brought them relief by reducing fares and making travel safer and easier.
“We have suffered a lot during the rainy and dry seasons. Drivers charge unapproved fares because of the poor road. We are very grateful to Mr. Joshua Agyei for helping us,” a resident said.
They also joined him in appealing to government to tar the road, saying it would preserve the investment and ensure its benefit for many years to come.
With this intervention, Mr. Joshua Agyei has proven that philanthropy can go beyond words to actions that transform lives, easing decade-long struggles and restoring hope to the people of Mamasi and Kɔkɔtenten.
