An abandoned transformer
Residents of Mpasatia-Abompe, Bedabour, Kyekyentaa, Kwamedwaa, and Mansaso in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have expressed frustration over years of neglect, citing the lack of electricity as a major barrier to development in their communities.
The residents say despite persistent appeals to successive governments and local authorities, they continue to live without power, a situation they describe as crippling economic activities, education, and healthcare delivery.
They are therefore calling on the Energy Minister, John Jinapor, the Ashanti Regional Minister, and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Mponua, Ibrahim Issahaq, to urgently intervene by completing the stalled electrification project and fixing damaged infrastructure in the area.
According to them, a non-functional transformer and several deteriorating utility poles have rendered earlier electrification efforts ineffective, leaving the communities in prolonged darkness.
The residents also appealed for the completion of key abandoned projects, including a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound and school facilities, stressing that the absence of such infrastructure continues to affect healthcare delivery and the quality of education for children.
A visit by the DAILY GUIDE to Bedabour revealed obsolete transformers, which residents claim have been left unused for decades. They explained that the equipment was intended to supply electricity to the communities but has since been abandoned by successive administrations despite repeated appeals.
They further lamented that solar streetlights installed in the area have deteriorated, with some components stolen by unknown persons.
Local artisans, including hairdressers and seamstresses, say their businesses are suffering as they are forced to travel to nearby towns such as Mpasatia to access electricity for their work.
They also appealed to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to prioritise their needs, noting that the affected communities are strongholds of the party.
“The NDC consistently receives more votes from this community and surrounding areas, but it is disappointing that we continue to lack basic development,” one seamstress lamented. “We now have to travel to Mpasatia just to sew clothes, and this is affecting our business.”
The residents are hopeful that their renewed call will prompt swift government action to address the longstanding challenges and bring much-needed development to the area.
FROM David Afum, Bedabour