By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA
Accra, Sept. 16, GNA – Some residents in 11 border communities in the Jaman North District of the Bono Region have appealed to the Government to urgently improve road infrastructure and telecommunications services to boost socio-economic development and strengthen security along Ghana’s international boundary with Côte d’Ivoire.
The appeal was made during courtesy calls by Major General Anthony Ntem, the Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), as part of a five-day operational assessment and stakeholder engagements in the district.
A statement from the Corporate Affairs Unit of the GhBC said some residents in border communities such as Buko, Jenini, Sampa, Kabree, Adadiem, Bonakire, Nsosomea and Kokosua No.2 lamented on the poor roads, especially during the rainy season, hindering trade, access to health care and essential services.
The statement indicated that some farmers said harvestedcashew harvests often get rotten due to lack of transport, forcing them to sell produce in Côte d’Ivoire where access is easier.
The communities decried also the unreliable or absence of mobile networks, which affected communication, education, border security coordination and emergency response.
The statement quoted Nana as saying “Our students sit for the same exams as our counterparts in Accra who have access to digital tools to aid in their studies.
“Yet, our children who do not have the same opportunities are expected to perform as their peers in the cities.
“The network issue is a threat to our safety and development and must be addressed urgently.”
Other concerns included the absence of a police station, Junior High School block, mechanised boreholes, a CHPS compound, and female teacher postings in some communities.
Major General Ntem assured residents that the Commission would report their concerns to the relevant Ministries.
He said, however, that while GhBC lacks funds to directly address development needs, human security remains integral to boundary management.
On the technical front, the Commission inspected 26 International Boundary Pillars (IBPs) in the district, some of which were displaced or destroyed.
The reaffirmation of Ghana’s land boundary with Côte d’Ivoire is ongoing in three phases, with Phase Two expected to cover Jaman North later this year.
The exercise forms part of efforts to safeguard Ghana’s territorial integrity, enhance border security and promote socio-economic development in border communities.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]