Tumu chief raises eyebrows over neglect of Sissala land in EU roads project

Infrastructure, particularly roads, plays a critical role in the development of any region.

For farming communities like those in Sissala land, good roads are essential for transporting produce to market centers, accessing services, and stimulating economic activities.

The absence of such infrastructure can significantly hinder the growth and development of these areas.

During a recent visit by the Upper West Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, the Chief of Kong, Kuoro Mahmoud Savei Zakaria, who represented the Tumu Kuoro, voiced significant concerns regarding the slow pace and uneven distribution of road construction projects in the region.

In his speech, the chief highlighted a pressing issue: the lack of proper road infrastructure linking the Upper East to the West Region.

He acknowledged that while the government has initiated construction projects, the progress has been disappointingly slow.

Kuoro Mahmoud Savei Zakaria lamented the exclusion of Sissala land from a significant EU-funded road project.

"The worry, and it remains a worry for us, is the EU road—a 60km road that was to be developed in the Upper West Region. Not a single kilometer has been constructed in the Sissala area," the chief lamented.

He emphasized that despite the promises made by various officials, including the outgoing Minister for Roads, the Minister for Agriculture, and the former Regional Minister, no substantial progress has been made in addressing the road needs of the Sissala area.

The Chief underscored the importance of these roads for farming communities, noting that the Sissala area is a significant agricultural hub within the Upper West Region, which is critical to the food security of the country at large.

He cited the exceptional quality of corn produced in the area, as acknowledged by the current Minister for Agriculture, yet bemoaned that the region continues to be neglected in infrastructure development.

"What concerns us most is that these roads, if truly intended for farming areas, should have included the Sissala area, given our substantial contribution to agriculture," he said.

The Chief's speech is a stark reminder of the infrastructural challenges facing many rural areas in Ghana.

The Sissala area, known for its agricultural productivity, particularly in corn production, stands as a testament to the potential that remains untapped due to inadequate road infrastructure and other incentives.

The current state of the roads hinders not only the transportation of goods but also the overall economic development of the region.

The concerns raised by the Chief are not just a call for better roads but a plea for recognition of the area's contributions to the nation's food security.

"This aspect made us feel so discriminated against and neglected that roads will come for farming areas and the Sissala area won't get a kilometer," he lamented.

This sense of neglect is echoed throughout the Sissala area, where the lack of proper road infrastructure is seen as a major barrier to development.

Promises and Reality:

The Chief pointed out that despite repeated assurances from various government officials, including the outgoing Minister for Roads, the Minister for Agriculture, and the outgone Regional Minister, there has been no tangible progress.

According to him, this lack of action on promises has led to a growing sense of frustration and disillusionment among the Sissala people.

The chief said, "We have heard from multiple officials that our needs will be addressed, yet we see no evidence of this on the ground."

In his response, the Upper West Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, acknowledged the concerns of the chief about the lack of proper road infrastructure in Sissala land and assured him of a thorough investigation and future inclusion in development plans.

He expressed his determination to understand why the area was excluded from the EU-funded road projects and to ensure such oversights are addressed moving forward.

"In trying to investigate and find out about these EU projects and the roads, we will dig deep to discover why the entire Sissala West and Sissala East were not part of the program," Yakubu assured.

He acknowledged the chief's frustration, indicating that the omission might have stemmed from an oversight by the assessment team responsible for the allocation of the EU Road project.

"My understanding is that the people who came to do the assessment—I don't know why they overlooked Sissala, but we will work very closely to make sure that we also have a share of the cake," he added.