Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod), is optimistic that the repair and completion of cocoa roads in the country’s cocoa-growing districts will greatly boost cocoa bean haulage.
He explained that because the state of the country’s key cocoa-growing areas makes it difficult to transport cocoa beans, “hauling cocoa beans will be easier after they are rehabilitated.”
“As a result, the government is determined to build roads in these areas, expand the cocoa sector, and boost rural development.” Once the roads are open to traffic, it will stimulate other types of investment.”
Joseph Boahen expressed the optimism after he had inspected the progress of work on the 38-kilometre Benchemaa to Adjoafua asphalt trunk road.
The road project being constructed by Armandi Group costs $43.3 million and it is under the Cocoa Road Rehabilitation Project.
Mr. Boahen Aidoo recounted stories of how drivers hauling cocoa beans and other motorists will have to struggle to traverse the Asempaneye scarp, noting that “many of them become disillusioned anytime they had to travel that scarp”.
“This scarp leads to very critical cocoa growing communities. Ghana derives significant tonnes of cocoa beans from here. But this scarp was a big problem. It’s a long serpentine road to traverse. So the cocoa drivers will have to climb at a snail pace. Unfortunately, while at it, some bad boys will jump on the trailer and be picking the cocoa beans. And before the driver will realise, a good number of the bags will be gone. This is going to be a thing of the past”.
He shared a personal experience where on a visit, his team could not climb the scarp and had to make a detour through Bonso Nkwanta before they could get to Sefwi Bekwai.
“We got to Sefwi Wiawso at midnight. So now all the drivers who hitherto had to avoid the scarp will no longer do so because the road before and after the scarp and all the way to the Benchema barrier is in a good shape. What it means also is that the travelling distance has been greatly reduced.”
The CEO and his team also inspected progress of work on a bridge on the same road and commended Armandi Group for work done so far, saying: “I’m impressed with the modifications because the old bridge was narrow and did not allow for smooth passage.”
Project Manager for Armandi Group David Mertz assured that his team is committed to delivering a world class project that will be able to stand the test of time.
