Accra: Residents of Okuma - Debume, fishing communities in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti Region, have appealed to the Government and relevant authorities to rehabilitate the Okuma-Debume road to facilitate transportation and enhance economic activities in the area. The road, which serves as a major link between Okuma and Debume, is in a deplorable condition, with deep gullies, muddy and waterlogged sections that become nearly impassable during the rainy season.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Alfred Gakpetor, a 61-year-old resident of Okuma, highlighted the adverse effects of the road's poor state on the movement of people and goods, particularly impacting fishers who rely on the route to transport their catch to market centers. He emphasized that fishing and farming are the primary sources of livelihood for residents, but the deteriorated road network has led to increased transportation costs, delays, and post-harvest losses.
Mr. Gakpetor mentioned that residents often have to carry goods on their heads over long distances due to the road's inaccessibility, with vehicles frequently getting stuck for hours, disrupting travel and commercial activities. He noted that the situation also impedes access to healthcare, education, and other essential social services, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
He appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Krachi West Municipal Assembly, and the Department of Feeder Roads to urgently reshape and gravel the road to improve accessibility and support local economic development. Other residents echoed his concerns, stating that the road had deteriorated steadily over the years without any major rehabilitation works.
The residents expressed hope that timely intervention by the authorities would improve transportation, stimulate economic activities, and enhance the living conditions of people in the affected communities. The Okuma-Debume road serves several farming and fishing communities within the Krachi West Municipality and remains a vital route for transporting agricultural produce and fish to nearby markets.