The contradictions of life hit you hard in the face as you enter the Ahanta West District of the Western Region. Ahanta West may sound like a far distant remote enclave in the region but it is just at the outskirt of Takoradi, the regional capital.
In fact areas in Ahanta West are less than 10 kilometers outside of Sekondi-Takoradi. One would have thought that with just a stone throw from the Regional capital, areas in Ahanta west should bear a semblance of modest infrastructural development.
From deplorable road networks through dilapidated school structures to inconsistent flow of pipe borne water makes life very cumbersome for most residents of Funkoe, New Amanful and Adjoa, all prominent coastal communities in Ahanta west.
A visit to Funkoe township brings to light the ‘sea-saw’ experience commuters go through each day on the 2008 Justmoh-constructed three-kilometer road off the main Takoradi – Agona road.
Complaint do not only come from passengers but commercial drivers who are just offering altruistic service to residents considering that frequent visits to auto mechanic shops render the business non profitable.
Heavy duty construction vehicles that ply the road due to the construction of a sea defence at Adjoa is further destroying the already poor roads at Funkoe. Clearly, the roads were not built to the level of load that it currently carries.
Andrews Intsiful, who is the Assemblyman for the area has expressed worry over the almost falling apart old primary ‘B’ 3 classroom school block. The man, who represents his community in the local assembly could not understand how a classroom of over 70 pupils can share just 10 dual-desks and are expected to be attentive in class.
Topographically, Funkoe is situated on high land making it difficult for pipe borne water to flow through tunnels linking from low-lying New Amanful town. The residents, especially women, and children go through hectic moments before they could access water for their daily chores.
One woman narrated the ordeal she and her family go through daily. According to her, she and her three children share one bucket of water to bath daily.
Borehole is not a substitute, according to the Asemblyman, due to the high concentration of salt in the water from underground to feed such boreholes.
According to 2010 national population census, over 5,000 people were believed to reside in Funkoe. If numbers have meaning, then 5,000 Ghanaians cannot be neglected by either the government or industries in the Funkoe land. What happened to the national cake? What about corporate social responsibility?
Mr. Intsiful said his leadership has sent several pleas to the numerous companies within the area to help alleviate their precarious situation but none has responded in a positive way.
Notwithstanding their predicament, the residents and the Assemblyman are hopeful they will soon receive attention from both the government through the district assembly and multinational companies like ENI Gh Ltd, Expro, AOS Orwell among others.
By Loveridge A.A. Okyere|Connect FM|3news.com|Ghana