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Two communities in the Bosomtwe District in the Ashanti Region have combined efforts and constructed a six-kilometre road using their own financial resources.

The road, when completed, will make access to the communities easier and also enhance business activities in the area.

The road, which is estimated to cost GH¢200,000 on completion, is yet to be tarred but the first phase which entails filling the cleared paths with laterite and gravel between Deduako and Kokodie has been completed and has brought relief to the people of the two towns.                                                                                                                                             
The project encompasses 3.5 km of road from Deduako to link 2.5 km of open way at Kokodie.

The Deduako road being constructed is close to the Kessben University College near Petransa, while the Kokodie project joins the lake road near the Anane Boateng Sports Stadium.

Challenges                            
Until the construction of the road, the people of Deduako and Kokodie found it difficult to transport foodstuffs from their farms to the market centres.

Besides, lots of sick people and pregnant women suffered inconveniences due to the bad nature of the road, as a result of which many people had lost their lives.  

Initiative 
The Chief of Deduako, Nana Agyei Panin, told the Daily Graphic that the two communities decided to construct the road following persistent loss of farm produce and deaths of community members, as a means of finding a lasting solution to the problems thay faced.  

He said after waiting for a very long time without support from the government, the people decided to take the road project through self-help initiatives.

In 2013, the chiefs and people of Deduako constructed and tarred 2.5 km of the road linking Kuntanas to the Ejisu road using their own resources.

Appeal 
The chief appealed to the government to come to the aid of the farmers in the area who have given out portions of their farm lands to enable the road construction project to take place.

He said the farmers as a result have lost farm produce such as palm trees, cocoa, plantain and cassava, among others. 

Funding 
Funding for the roads was raised through an annual harvest organised by the chiefs and people in the two communities.

Indigenous males who are not resident in the town paid GH¢30 while non-resident females paid GH¢20

Male citizens resident in the town paid GH¢5 in addition to a supply of foodstuff while resident females paid GH¢2 to support the fundraising.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosomtwe, Madam Veronica Antwi-Adjei, after inspecting the project, commended the chiefs and people of the two communities for their attempt at complementing the efforts of the government.

She pledged to support the road construction efforts by providing a grader to help put the roads into a better shape after earth works were completed.