Rural electrification: Awutu Annan community lives in darkness for 60 years

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For six decades (60 years), the Awutu Annan community, nestled in the Awuta Senya West District of the Central Region has endured a profound lack of access to electricity.

This community, predominantly composed of farmers and bordering the Eastern and Western regions, has faced numerous challenges as a result.

The absence of electricity has significantly impacted the lives of over a thousand inhabitants. School children are unable to attend classes, access to clean drinking water is scarce, and basic amenities like health facilities are non-existent. A resident and spokesman Yeboah Addo Issac said he endures an arduous journey of three (3) hours to a nearby community, Amanfrom just to charge his mobile phone. The same condition applies to other inhabitants.

Furthermore, the dire state of infrastructure compounds their struggles. Roads connecting the community are in disrepair, making transportation difficult and time-consuming. Despite years of paying taxes, the people of Awutu Annan feel abandoned by successive governments who have failed to address their fundamental needs.

In response to mounting pressure, the community has rallied under the slogan “No Light No Vote,” signaling their intention to withhold support in both Presidential and Parliamentary Elections until their grievances are addressed. Chief spokespersons have issued pleas to the government, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance to improve living conditions.

Acknowledging the plight of Awutu Annan and similar communities on Citi Breakfast, the MP for Awutu Senya West constituency Hon. Gizella Tetteh Agbotui disclosed that she has taken steps to advocate for change. However, bureaucratic hurdles and government inaction have hindered progress. Despite her efforts, including letters to the Ministry of Energy, tangible solutions have remained elusive.

In a bid to provide interim relief, Hon. Agbotui said on Citi Breakfast Daily that she has promised her constituents the installation of solar light systems to alleviate the community’s immediate need for illumination. Additionally, she said she is working around the clock to address the issue of feeder roads independently, recognizing the critical role infrastructure plays in improving livelihoods.

As the community awaits meaningful intervention, their story serves as a stark reminder of the systemic challenges faced by rural areas across the country. With promises of government action on the horizon, the residents of Awutu Annan remain cautiously hopeful for a brighter future.

Watch the video HERE