The Paramount Chief of the Penyi Traditional Area, Torgbui Dadzie V, has appealed to the government to urgently address key developmental challenges confronting the area in order to improve living standards and boost economic growth.
He made the appeal on during an appearance on the Agoo Intervention Morning Show on Fafaa 100.3 FM, hosted by Abass Seidu.
The engagement formed part of a joint intervention initiative by the Duamenefa Foundation and Fafaa 100.3 FM, aimed at identifying community challenges and amplifying them to relevant government agencies and stakeholders for timely action.
Before outlining the concerns of the community, Torgbui Dadzie V expressed appreciation to the government for responding to the area’s long-standing road challenges. He noted that road construction works, which had been awaited for several years, were currently underway and commended the authorities for their intervention.
According to the Paramount Chief, the majority of residents in the Penyi Traditional Area are engaged in farming, producing crops such as maize, cassava, and other foodstuffs. However, he noted that the absence of agro-processing facilities continues to limit productivity and economic advancement.
He stressed the need for cassava and maize processing factories within the traditional area to provide a ready market for farm produce, reduce post-harvest losses, and add value to agricultural output. He added that such facilities would create employment opportunities for the youth and help curb rural–urban migration.
Torgbui Dadzie V further revealed that rice farming has recently become the dominant agricultural activity in the area, a significant shift from previous years. He noted, however, that rice cultivation requires reliable water supply and appealed for the construction of irrigation dams to support farmers. He explained that losses in rice farming are often severe due to the high cost of investment involved.
The Paramount Chief also highlighted the acute water challenges facing the area, pointing out that the entire community currently depends on a single borehole. He therefore appealed for additional boreholes and improved water infrastructure to ensure adequate supply for both domestic and agricultural use.
In addition, he raised concerns about poor network coverage in some parts of the traditional area and called on the relevant authorities and telecommunication companies to improve connectivity to enhance communication, business activities, and access to information.
He further appealed to the government and development partners to support farmers with modern agricultural machinery, including harvesting equipment and rice milling machines, to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and increase output.
Torgbui Dadzie V concluded by calling on the government, development partners, and non-governmental organisations to support agricultural development, water supply, and network infrastructure in the Penyi Traditional Area, describing these interventions as critical to improving livelihoods and accelerating socio-economic development.
By Hutor Dziwornu
Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze