Social justice activist criticizes successive gov’ts over neglect of Afram Plains

A social justice activist, Raphael Godlove Ahenu, has launched a scathing attack on successive governments for their continued neglect of the Afram Plains enclave, leaving residents in deep poverty and underdevelopment.

Speaking at the launch of Freedom Islands Rights and Social Transformation (FIRST) in Bridgeano, Mr. Ahenu condemned the lack of basic infrastructure, poor access to healthcare, and inadequate educational facilities in the area, describing it as a "gross injustice to the people of the Afram Plains."

Mr. Ahenu stated that despite the vast economic potential of the Afram Plains, particularly in agriculture and fisheries, governments had failed to invest in roads, schools, and healthcare systems in the area. He added that the lack of good roads had made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to market, forcing many into economic hardship.

"For decades, successive governments have made countless promises to develop the Afram Plains, yet nothing changes. Our roads remain impassable, our schools lack basic resources, and our healthcare system is in shambles. It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, people here still struggle for basic amenities," he stated.

Mr. Ahenu, who is also the CEO of the Global Media Foundation, further called on the government to take urgent action to address these challenges, particularly in the education sector, and condemned the increasing rate of child labor in fishing activities, which he said is depriving many children of formal education.

"Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, yet our children are being forced into fishing because the system has failed them. The government must prioritize education by providing well-equipped schools, trained teachers, and scholarship opportunities for children in Afram Plains," he added.

Local advocacy
The social justice activist also stressed the need for local advocacy and community action, urging the newly launched Freedom Islands Rights and Social Transformation (FIRST) to take the lead in demanding accountability from the government.

He called on traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and community members to unite in advocating for development projects, improved social services, and economic empowerment initiatives for the people of Afram Plains.

"We cannot sit and wait for politicians to remember us only during elections. We must organize, advocate, and demand the development we deserve," he concluded.

Research findings
For his part, Dr Samuel Okyere, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol in the UK, whose research findings motivated the community to form the FIRST NGO to pursue their rights, was impressed that the community had taken this action.

According to him, his research as part of the project 'Modern Marronage: the Pursuit and Practice of Freedom in the Contemporary World, has shown that many island communities lack social amenities such as limited access to quality education and healthcare, electricity, lack of teachers and health professionals in the area.

He lamented that because of limited access to quality education, many of the children in the area must cross the lake by canoe or walk long distance before getting access to school has compelled many of these children to follow their parents to fish.

This, according to him, has seen serious rights abuses against the communities by some organizations that claim to be combating child labour and trafficking on the lake in children's work on the lake.

Dr Okyere therefore called on these international human rights organizations to collaborate with the Government of Ghana and residents of the islands to look for innovative and pragmatic ways in addressing the economic marginalization of the area as best options, instead of their rambo style of rescuing the children which does not address the real issues.

The launch of Freedom Islands Rights and Social Transformation (FIRST) was attended by local leaders, activists, and community members, all of whom pledged their support in pushing for meaningful change in the Afram Plains.