The intermittent breakdown of the ferry that shuttles between Kwahu Adawso and Eyeamanfrom has impacted the transportation of farm produce and health care referrals.
Commuters and motorists have been stranded on several occasions on the Afram River, heightening their fears.
The ferry operated by the Volta Lake Transport Company is the sole means of transport linking Kwahu Afram plains to Kwahu Adawso on the Afram River.
On daily basis agricultural produce from the fertile enclave is transported to neighbouring regions. Health referrals also heavily rely on this service.
However, the intermittent breakdown has caused patron to resort to canoes in hard times.
Families have tragically lost lives during these incidents, while the local economy suffers due to disruptions in the agricultural value chain.
Janet Baah, sorrowful, shared how her mother slipped while on board the ferry, “Last year, my mother was referred from the Donkorkrom hospital, because of the bad nature of the road and the breakdown of the ferry, she died on the ferry, we vote too, the challenge should be fixed.”
“Fear grips us lately when we use the ferry, we aren’t sure of the alternate provision they have made. They should fix it urgently,” Attah Jackson added
Parliament in 2022 approved an amount of Three Hundred and Fifty Million Euros (€350,000,000.00) for the construction of a bridge over the Afram River and the construction of 124Km of roads from Adawso-Bunso, Ekye – Amanfrom and other specified roads within the Afram areas.
Work is yet to commence, leading residents to lament the governments delayed promises.
“If the bridge had been constructed, we won’t wait for hours for the ferry to function before we move. We have sat here for hours. Imagine a referral case needs to be treated urgently. We may have to go round to use the Agogo road. That bridge they promised us is now a white elephant, the Afram plains needs its fair share of developmental projects,” Jordan Michael Yunbow shared his frustration.
The Volta Lake Transport Company says commuters and motorists who use the Adawso – Ekyeamanfrom ferry may need to wait until December for repairs on the crucial imported parts; Propeller and shatel.
Public Relations Officer of the Transport Company, Daniel Peprah Adjei, assured of ongoing efforts to address the challenge.
“We are not intentionally delaying in finding solutions. We import the Propeller and Shatel, usually, it takes three months to arrive. We have ordered for a new one. This one may delay. Management will be in touch with the motorists to fix the challenge,” he assured.
