Market women and traders in New Bakpa, in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region, are appealing to the government and the Ministry of Roads and Highways to urgently construct a motorable road linking the community to its newly built market to boost trading activities.
With a population of just over 2,000, New Bakpa is largely agrarian and serves as a major food-producing area in the district. However, residents say years of neglect of the road network continue to hinder the transportation of farm produce, despite the recent construction of a modern market facility by the Citi FM Foundation.
Traders say the poor state of the road discourages farmers in neighbouring communities from bringing their goods to the market, causing low patronage and losses, particularly of perishable produce.
“We have a market here at Bakpa, but our roads are not good. It becomes difficult for farmers from far and near to bring their produce to the market because of the bad roads. We are appealing, especially as market women, to the government to help construct our road for us,” said Mama Nyanunor, a trader at New Bakpa.
Motorcycle riders, who provide the primary means of transportation in the area, describe the road as unsafe, especially during the rainy season.
“Our roads are not in good condition. We have a market, but the road linking the market to the farms is not good. The condition deteriorates especially during the rainy season, and it becomes difficult to transport the market women and their goods to the market,” explained Moses Meworde, an okada rider.
Traditional authorities say the situation has stalled development and continues to affect livelihoods.
“This road challenge has existed for many years and continues to affect the growth of our community. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid by constructing the road to help improve economic activities and living conditions in New Bakpa,” said Mama Avanusi IV, Queen Mother of the New Bakpa Traditional Area.
Residents say government intervention would help maximise the benefits of the newly constructed market and improve access to surrounding farming communities.
