“We Feel Abandoned”: Breman Opinion Leaders and Residents Decry Neglect, Appeal for Development Support

Traditional leaders and residents of Breman, a steadily growing community within the Suame Municipality of the Ashanti Region, have issued a passionate appeal to the government and development partners to urgently address what they describe as years of neglect and lack of investment in their area. This call was made during the official launch of the 2025 Breman Homecoming Celebration, which brought together natives from both Ghana and abroad to reconnect, reflect, and discuss the community’s developmental future.

Speaking at the colourful and well-attended event, the Kontihene of the Breman Traditional Council, Nana Adu-Gyamfi Sarkodie, did not hide his disappointment over the current state of the community. He expressed deep concern over the absence of basic infrastructure, which he said continues to hinder the well-being and progress of the people. He noted that Breman, despite its strategic location and contributions to the wider municipality, still lacks a health facility, forcing residents to travel long distances in search of medical attention. The situation, according to him, has placed many lives at risk, particularly the vulnerable, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

Nana Adu-Gyamfi Sarkodie also lamented the lack of a public library for schoolchildren, which he said is denying young learners access to educational resources that are essential for academic success. He explained that students are often left with no place for after-school studies or research, a disadvantage that continues to affect performance and general literacy levels in the area. He described the situation as unfair and unacceptable, calling for immediate action.

He stressed that the Breman Homecoming Celebration should not only be seen as a cultural or social gathering but also as a platform for initiating meaningful change and mobilizing support for the development of the community. Addressing both government agencies and Breman citizens living in the diaspora, the Kontihene made a heartfelt appeal for assistance to help improve the lives of the people. He called on the central government, the Suame Municipal Assembly, NGOs, and individuals to join forces and contribute to the transformation of Breman, emphasizing that the people deserve better.

“We are calling on the government and all our brothers and sisters abroad to come to our aid. Breman deserves better. Let’s join hands to bring development home,” he urged.

His concerns were echoed by Assembly Members from the Breman electoral areas, who also expressed their frustration over the continued neglect of the community by relevant authorities. According to them, despite years of petitions, letters, and formal requests to the Suame Municipal Assembly, very little has been done to address the dire needs of the people. They indicated that the community has consistently been left out of major development initiatives, and the lack of attention has dampened morale among both leaders and residents.

An Assembly Member, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, noted that the challenges in Breman are not new and have been discussed repeatedly without any results. He described the condition of roads as deplorable, healthcare access as non-existent, and educational infrastructure as woefully inadequate. He added that the situation is pushing the community further into poverty and called on the Assembly and central government to prioritize Breman in their planning and resource allocation.

The Homecoming event itself was filled with traditional drumming and dancing, cultural performances, and messages of unity and hope. One of the key highlights of the event was the launch of a development appeal fund aimed at raising financial support from citizens and well-wishers to fund community projects in health, education, and infrastructure.

Organizers of the event said the Homecoming Celebration must become a turning point in the development history of Breman. They emphasized that the issues raised are not about political interests, but about the basic needs of the people and the future of the younger generation. They expressed hope that the attention the event has brought to Breman’s condition would yield tangible results in the near future.

Residents who participated in the event reiterated that they are not asking for luxury or special treatment, but for fairness and equity in the distribution of national resources. They called for a clinic to attend to their health needs, a public library to support education, good roads to facilitate economic activity, and sustained government investment to uplift the area from long-standing deprivation.

As the celebration came to an end, the unified voice of the community rang clear through the speeches, performances, and reflections. The people of Breman are tired of being sidelined and forgotten, and they are demanding action. The closing message, echoed by chiefs, Assembly Members, and residents alike, was one of determination and urgency: “We feel abandoned. But we are not giving up. It is time for action, not promises.”