AfDB financed projects breathe life into Abom Konkomba community
The construction of a feeder road for the people of Abom Konkomba and its environs has not only breathed life into the community but has also helped local farmers boost their production as well as marketing.
According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the small and remote village in the Kintampo South District of the Brong-Ahafo region, had challenges with regards to getting access to the community.
This made it difficult for teachers to come and teach, for women to go to the hospital and for farmers to market their produce and get access to agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
The situation took a nose dive when farmers shunned the community because of poor road and lack of storage infrastructure.
The AfDB says the poor infrastructure in Abom Konkomba was the main impediment to its growth, adding that, the lack of roads to access the communities had been a major headache to the District Assembly.
To remedy this, the AfDB and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) co-financed the Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP).
The project was launched in 2009, to contribute to equitable and sustainable poverty reduction and food security in the various districts in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions as well as seven adjoining districts of the Brong-Ahafo Region.
Overall, the Bank says it has injected $61.20 million in the project while the IFAD supported with $ 22.73 million.
The intervention included the construction of a 8.7km feeder road which links Abom to Apesika, passing through a number of communities including Abom Konkomba which has considerably improved the living conditions of farmers and the general living standard of members of communities along the Apesika-Abom Feeder road.
“Before the construction of the road, the village was not attractive but the road was constructed, we realised that more strangers came to settle here and they even improved their building materials. Instead of thatch roof some of them deployed aluminium sheet to roof their houses. Electricity and water sewerage facilities have been extended to make the village more attractive. Over 20 commercial farms have been established in the village.
“We are seeing new buildings cropping up all over; we are seeing and feeling life in the village”, one community member told the Bank.
“Prior to the construction of the road, women would walk long distances and struggle for transportation to the hospital. The construction of the road has improved transportation making it easier to visit the hospital. That has helped in reducing incidence of women dying when they are in labour,” another woman said
“I used to walk for more than 30 minutes to work. Now I am proud and happy to note that, from my house, I can get to the office in less than five minutes. With the road, my father can increase his production, as he is confident the road would link him to the markets to sell all his produce,” another beneficiary was quoted as saying.
By Pamela Ofori-Boateng
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