Town roads within Ntotroso, Wamahinso and Gyedu in the Ahafo Region will see a facelift this year as Newmont Gold Africa is committed to funding their rehabilitation.
The company is also in discussions with Kenyase No.1 and Kenyasi No. 2, and other neighbouring communities that host its Ahafo South mine’s operations, to rehabilitate their town roads.
The poor condition of these roads has been a significant concern for commuters and has hindered economic activities in the area.
The poor state of these roads has far-reaching consequences, including inefficiencies and increased transportation costs, as well as substantial post-harvest losses for farmers in the region. The rehabilitation of these roads is crucial for the movement of goods and services, and Newmont’s initiative aims to address this issue and improve the overall infrastructure in the region.
Newmont recently provided US$9.1 million to complete the construction of the 8.2-kilometre Hwidiem to Kenyase road, a major access route that connects the communities to Kumasi via Acherensua, Tepa, and Bechem.
Having financed the rehabilitation of some town roads previously, the ongoing rehabilitation of the roads aligns with Newmont’s social investment strategy, which aims to promote economic development and improve the quality of life for community members. Local contractors are undertaking the construction of these town roads, ensuring that the rehabilitation benefits the community while generating employment opportunities for community members.
In addition to improving the town roads, Newmont has committed to funding the construction of the 24.4-kilometre Ntotroso-Kenyase road. Already, the company is collaborating with the government to rehabilitate the over 40-kilometre Sunyani-Acherensua road, which has become a dangerous route for commuters due to its deteriorating condition and the increasing incidents of theft and armed robbery.
Journalists for Business Advocacy recently travelled on the road and witnessed firsthand the deplorable condition of the road. They described the potholes as unbearable, with the asphalt having given way to gravel from the ground. The slow movement on the road has created opportunities for armed robbers to set up camps and attack unsuspecting travellers.
Just last month, there was an attack on that stretch of the road that resulted in the loss of two lives. This incident highlights the urgent need for road repairs and improved security measures to ensure the safety of commuters and drivers.
Beyond security, the deplorable state of these roads adversely affects the movement of goods between markets, leading to inefficiencies and increased transportation costs. Farmers in the region face substantial post-harvest losses because the poor road network makes it difficult to transport their produce to markets promptly. This not only affects their livelihoods but also impacts the overall food supply chain.
Alex Kofi Annin, General Manager of the Ahafo South mine, says, “The rehabilitation of these roads is being done following fruitful engagements with the government, traditional authorities and community stakeholders.” He emphasised the company’s commitment to socio-economic development and thanked the government and the relevant stakeholders for the collaboration.
Looking ahead, Newmont has allocated $34 million for road construction between 2025 and 2028 in the Ahafo South mine host communities. This substantial investment is part of the company’s broader efforts to stimulate the local economy and support the efficient movement of goods and services.
With the combined efforts of Newmont, the communities and the government, the future of Ahafo South’s road network appears promising, and it will pave the way for enhanced economic opportunities for its residents.
