HOW to rehabilitate a 10-kilometre road from Dixcove to Akwidaa along the coast in the Western Region has become a big challenge to the people in the area.
The road is gradually becoming impassable as some portions now look like footpaths and vehicles which ply the road have to spend more than 45 minutes to reach Akwidaa from Agona, the district capital, of Ahanta West.
Some portions have deep gullies and potholes as a, result of frequent erosion and therefore vehicles which use the road have to slow down before engaging another gear to continue the journey.
Even so, the lack of bitumen on the Akwidaa road is another problem that motorists have to endure whilst they trek to the town.
Last Wednesday, this reporter trekked to Akwidaa to cover their annual Kundum festival, and immediately the rickety Toyota Hiace touched the dusty road, all the passengers wore turbans as a “shield” against the dust.
Others put on their caps, but for the first time “we had to take in the dust, as we had no option”.
On reaching Akwidaa, our faces were covered with red dust as if we had traveled a long distance.
The bad nature of the roads leading to Akwidaa have been a major concern for the chiefs and elders of the community.
They are worried that, the road is affecting social life, economic activities and even security and emergencies.
There are two roads that lead to Akwidaa, the one from Dixcove to Akwidaa Old Town along the coast was built in the 1970s whiles the roads from the hinterland, from Dankor to Akwidaa was constructed in the 1940s and 1950s by a timber merchant and the community.
There are two occupations in Akwidaa-subsistence farming and fishing.
And according to the Assemblyman in the area, Birch Assilidjoe, the roads to Akwidaa should be reconstructed and tarred so as to facilitate free movements of goods, people and services from the town to Agona the capital of Ahanta West district and Takoradi.
As at now, Akwidaa grows palm oil, vegetables, sugar cane and cassava, he said.
But because of the bad nature of the roads, most farmers find it extremely difficult to transport foodstuffs and vegetables to the marketing centres.