Residents, farmers, drivers, and traders in Afram Plains have called on President John Dramani Mahama to remain focused on fulfilling his commitment to construct a bridge over the Afram River and improve road infrastructure in the area.
They believe that the completion of these projects would not only honour a longstanding promise but also serve as a transformational legacy that opens the area to international investment and bolsters national food security.
Afram Plains is one of Ghana’s key agricultural zones, often referred to as the food basket of the Eastern Region. Agriculture, which contributes about 20% to the country’s GDP and employs nearly half of the workforce, is the mainstay of the local economy. Yet, the area has long suffered from poor infrastructure, particularly in terms of roads and transportation.
Currently, the only way to access Afram Plains is via ferry or canoe across the Afram River. These services are unreliable, often breaking down and causing long delays. Students miss school, traders lose market days, and transport operators are left waiting for hours when the ferry is unavailable.
In February 2022, Parliament approved a €350 million contractual agreement for the construction of a bridge over the Afram River and 124 kilometres of roads within the Afram Plains. These include the Adawso-Bunso and Ekye-Amanfrom roads.
However, progress has stalled. In March 2023, the Members of Parliament for Afram Plains North and South expressed frustration in a joint statement, alleging that the government was attempting to divert the €350 million meant for the Afram project to fund work on the Accra-Kumasi highway.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways quickly responded, denying the allegation. It clarified that the government intended to execute two components of the project concurrently but had faced challenges concluding financing arrangements, challenges largely attributed to the ongoing debt restructuring exercise.
In November 2024, while concluding his Eastern Regional campaign, then-candidate John Mahama pledged that the Afram Plains road and bridge would be his top priority under his Big Push Agenda if elected. He reiterated this promise during his recent “Thank You” tour in the north.
This renewed commitment has reignited hope among residents, many of whom view the project as a much-needed intervention to improve mobility, stimulate local business, and attract investors to the agricultural sector.
Eastern Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, speaking to Channel One news on Sunday, May 18, described the project as a “game changer,” noting that improved connectivity will open Afram Plains to new business and investment opportunities, especially in agriculture.
For residents, the time for action is now.”We don’t want this to be another political promise. We need to see work begin, and we urge the President not to be distracted,” said a local farmer.
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