*Dwarf** Islands** in Afram Plains District to see the first roads. *

Dwarf Islands within the Afram Plains District in the Eastern Region are to be connected to the rest of the country through the construction of Forty (40) Kilometres of feeder roads. The area known for its vast fertile lands and the highest concentration of cattle is expected to be opened up for further Agricultural development. The Dwarf Islands which has virtually been cut off from the rest of the Afram Plains is expected to see the first vehicles in the next 12 months.

Speaking in an interview at Maame Krobo, one of the communities in the area, the Coordinator of the Afram Plains Agriculture Development Project (APDADP) Kofi Tweneboa says the project is to develop the main trunk road from Tease, one of the communities to the Dwarf Islands.

Kofi Tweneboa explained that the main trunk road of 18.2 Kilometres linking Tease to the Islands would have adjoining roads to several communities totalling another 21.8 Kilometres. He adds that this 40 Kilometre feeder road intervention would seek to improve the vast Agricultural potential available on the Islands, as part of the entire development agenda meant to transform the Afram Plains District.

The Dwarf Islands in spite of its vast agricultural potential has difficulties transporting most of it produce to Donkorkrom; the District capital as well as other market centres. This has over the years impacted negatively on the farmers within the area as well as the local economy.

He said the Afram Plains District Agriculture Development Project (APDADP) is a 5 year project expected to end in 2012. It’s being financed with assistance of Fifteen Point Two Million Ghana Cedis from the African Development Bank, and the Government of Ghana.

The project is expected to transform the District through the establishment of Five (5) crop markets, Twenty (20) boreholes, and Three (3) grain storage facilities. Others include Two Hundred (200) Kilometres of feeder roads, One (1) livestock (cattle) markets, Three (3) grain storage facilities, a slaughter house and Four (4) fodder banks.

Kofi Tweneboa expressed the hope that the implementation of the various projects would alleviate most of the plight of farmers in the district and improve upon their livelihoods.

It is expected that challenges with portable water, transportation, markets, and others facing inhabitants of the area would soon become a thing of the past, after the construction of the various projects in the next 12 months.

Kofi A. Tweneboa

Project Coordinator