Koforidua, Sept. 26, GNA - Economic activities in Fanteakwa and the Kwahu-South Districts are being hampered by the deteriorated nature of the roads in these areas. Quantities of onions cultivated in these areas are getting rotten because drivers are not willing to ply the roads to transport the produce to marketing centres.

Chiefs from the Afram basin in the two districts made this known when they paid a courtesy call on Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister in Koforidua on Friday.

According to Osabarima Bosompem Ayirepey, chief of Dedeso in the Fanteakwa district, who led the delegation, the road from Kwahu-Obuoho to Kwahu-Amanfrom and the adjoining ones along the Afram basin were so bad that farmers could not transport their produce for sales. He said Tilapia, which was expensive in the towns and cities were getting rotten at the communities along the Afram basin because the road had become so dangerous that drivers could not ply them.

Osabarima Ayirepey appealed to Mr Ampofo to as a matter of urgency ensure that the roads were rehabilitated to promote economic activities. He told the Minister that for the past five years, the chiefs and people had not received their share of the Volta River Authority (VRA) resettler's Trust Fund that they used for small community development. Nana Ayirepey explained that hitherto they were receiving the funds but since the last five years, they had not got anything adding that neither the VRA nor the Trust Fund, explained the reason of the delay to any of the beneficiary communities. Mr Ampofo reacting to their concerns, said the issue of agriculture and relief for farmers was essential to Government hence the purchasing of a grader by the assembly for the rehabilitation of roads in the area. He said already feasibility studies had been carried out on the Afram Lake for water supply projects for all the communities along the Afram basin and beyond.

On the issue of the VRA fund, Mr Ampofo promised to find out from the VRA the reason for the delay and commended the chiefs for coming together to address issues affecting their wellbeing. He advised them to be united on all matters that affect their people for quick redress since development only thrived in unity.