The Divisional Chief of Bosomtwi Traditional Area, Nana Kwabena Amponsah 1V,has lamented the state of roads in mining enclaves in the Western Region including his  jurisdiction,saying” it’s a sad commentary on our development.”

He continued :”We want our share of the gold. We are in a gold enclave where gold has been mined for centuries but we don’t even see it.Huni Valley -Tarkwa road used to have manholes and it was terrible travelling on it .The state of roads in Western Region are just worrying.

“It’s sad.There is no interchange in Western Region. Not even at Takoradi.Gold mining in other countries like South Africa has become a reference point. But,when you come to this country, from Tarkwa,Aboso to Huni Valley, it’s a pathetic.Even to ask for our share, where do you go  to ask questions?.”

Nana Amponsah made the lamentations when the Mining Sector Roads Rehabilitation Secretariat met him at the Bosomtwe Divisional Area palace to discuss their mandates and the rehabilitation of Huni Valley roads as part of the agenda to transform mining enclaves in Ghana.

He said, before the rehabilitation of the 33 km Tarkwa -Damang road- trekking to Tarkwa or Takorafi was a drudgery.

Today, he said, the journey to Tarkwa, which used  to cover two hours, has been cut to about 30 minutes.

The Bosomtwe Chief told the delegation that due to poor road access in Huni Valley corridors, travelling to Accra through Praso, a short distance, was a difficulty, and so, commuters  detoured  through Tarkwa, Takoradi and Cape Coast.

Nana Amponsah pledged   to support the secretariat in performing its mandate to transform roads in Bosomtewe (Huni Valley).

“We  ” will help  you to meet your mandate.If the communities become beautiful, we shall all share the glory.” he added.

He, however,suggested that the coverage of the Huni Valley project should be extended from 4km to 7.5 km,arguing that the mining community was growing each day.

The Gyaasehene of Bosomtwe, Nana Kwesi Assaah, also complained  about shoddy works  by some contractors over the years and appealed to the secretariat to ensure the execution of good quality road project in the area.

“We need roads with a  longer  lifes pan. Do your work with integrity, transparency,truth and the fear of God. Sacrifice and posterity will judge you. Let the truth prevail all the time.” he told the delegation.

The Coordinator at the Mining Roads Sector Rehabilitation Secretariat,Mr Frank Felix E. Awah, explained that the team would coordinate,supervise and implement the road projects in the mining communities.

He added that government would provide part of the funds for the project while the mining companies would also support, but stressed that “We are  going to work together as stakeholders to ensure success  of the projects.”

He again, said that the Technical Advisor,Dr.  Francis Acheampong, also a board chairman of Ghana Highways Authority,  would ensure good quality road projects.

Dr.Acheampong, on his part, said “Good quality work is important.We want to ensure that we do good roads with a  longer  lifespan.  not those after six months, develop manholes and the road is destroyed.”

Legal Advisor, Alhaji Farouk Seidu,assured of  a necessary legal framework  to ensure that even if a new government assumed office, the projects  in the mining enclaves would not stall.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Huni Valley