In the heart of Northern Ghana’s Mion District lies Kambon-Naakura, a farming community that, despite its rich agricultural potential, struggles with a harsh reality – poor road infrastructure. For Kambon Naa, the local chief and a seasoned farmer cultivating cassava, yam, maize, soybeans, and sorghum, the promise of prosperity has often been shattered by impassable roads and unpredictable setbacks.
Reflecting on his decades-long struggle, Kambon Naa recounted a devastating incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA): “I once lost all my produce in a bushfire. We couldn’t get a truck to Tamale in time because the road was too bad. By the time help arrived, everything was gone.”
This challenge is not unique to Kambon-Naakura. Nearby communities like Sagbarugu, Chegu Fulanikura, and Adamkura face similar hardships. During the rainy season, their feeder roads become nearly impassable, cutting off farmers from markets in Mion, Jimle, Yendi, and Tamale.
Agricultural experts warn that these crumbling roads have far-reaching impacts. Alhaji Yussif Amuda Fuseini, Director of Agricultural Services at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, highlighted how poor feeder roads increase transportation costs, reduce farmers’ incomes, and contribute to food scarcity in urban areas. “If food can’t be transported efficiently, it leads to price hikes in cities and worsens food insecurity,” he told GNA.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Ghana has roughly 43,305 kilometers of feeder roads, but only 29.5% are in good condition, with nearly a third in poor shape, according to the Department of Feeder Roads. This state of neglect has been linked to rising post-harvest losses and a declining interest in farming among youth.
Mr. Issah Abdul-Hakim of the Ghana Soybeans Farmers and Aggregators Association warned that without immediate intervention, many young people will abandon agriculture entirely, worsening rural unemployment and poverty.
Time for a New Approach
To address this critical issue, experts have called for a multi-pronged strategy, including the establishment of a dedicated road maintenance fund, increased private sector investment, and the construction of climate-resilient roads capable of withstanding Ghana’s unpredictable weather.
They also advocate for a national road condition monitoring system to prevent small cracks from becoming costly, impassable routes.
Building More Than Just Roads
Improving Ghana’s feeder roads is about more than just filling potholes. It’s about restoring the dignity of rural farmers, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring that Ghana’s agricultural backbone remains strong.
For farmers like Kambon Naa, better roads could mean the difference between despair and hope – a chance for economic stability, food security, and a brighter future for generations to come.
