Farmers In Atwima Mponua Cry Over Poor Roads Affecting Cocoa Transportation

Cocoa farmers in Atwima Mponua District in the Ashanti Region have cried over poor feeder roads in their communities which they say are affecting transportation of cocoa beans and other farm produce to markets.

The farmers made the appeal during a visit by Ghana News Agency (GNA) to Nyinahin, the district capital, and other farming communities including Anansu, Adupiri and Kotokuom on Monday, May 12, 2026. The situation was covered by Joy News.

According to the Chairman of Atwima Mponua Cocoa Farmers Association, Mr. Kwabena Osei, the feeder roads from farming communities to Nyinahin and Kumasi are in deplorable state and become unmotorable during rainy season. He said drivers refuse to ply the roads.

Speaking to Joy News in an interview at Nyinahin, Mr. Osei explained that farmers have to carry cocoa beans on their heads for several kilometers to access roads where vehicles can pick them. He said this increases post-harvest losses and reduces income.

He said, “We are suffering because our feeder roads are very bad. From Anansu to Nyinahin, the road is full of potholes and mud. Drivers refuse to come to our villages to cart cocoa beans. We carry cocoa on our heads for 5 kilometers. This is what we told Citi News during the interview.”

According to a statement from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the Board is aware of challenges facing cocoa farmers in Atwima Mponua and other districts. The statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said COCOBOD is collaborating with Department of Feeder Roads to rehabilitate roads.

Mr. Aidoo in a statement reported by Graphic Online said COCOBOD through the Cocoa Roads Project has constructed over 200 kilometers of feeder roads in cocoa growing areas in Ashanti Region. He said COCOBOD is committed to improving roads to facilitate cocoa transportation.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who was informed about the situation, said government is working to rehabilitate feeder roads in Atwima Mponua. According to a report by Peace FM, the Regional Minister said the Regional Coordinating Council has released funds to rehabilitate 30 kilometers of feeder roads.

He said the Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with Ghana Cocoa Board and Department of Feeder Roads will rehabilitate roads from Nyinahin to Anansu, Adupiri and Kotokuom. He said good roads will reduce transportation cost and boost cocoa production.

Some cocoa farmers have shared their experiences. Madam Akosua Frimpong, a 45-year-old cocoa farmer at Anansu, told Ghana News Agency that she lost two bags of cocoa beans last year because vehicle could not access her farm to cart them and beans got rotten due to rains.

Mr. Kofi Adjei, who is also a cocoa farmer at Adupiri, said in an interview with Joy News that transportation cost from his village to Nyinahin is very high because drivers charge high fares due to bad roads. He said he pays GH¢100 per bag of cocoa to transport to Nyinahin.

Another farmer, Mr. Yaw Boateng, at Kotokuom, told Ghana News Agency that he has reduced his cocoa farm size because he cannot transport all his produce to market due to poor roads. He appealed to government to rehabilitate feeder roads to support cocoa farmers.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Atwima Mponua, Hon. Isaac Kofi Marfo, in an interview with Citi News, said the District Assembly has prioritized feeder roads rehabilitation in its development plan. He said the Assembly has allocated funds to reshape 15 kilometers of feeder roads.

The Ashanti Regional Director of Department of Feeder Roads, Mr. Francis Gambrah, advised farmers to form cooperatives to pool resources for road maintenance. He also advised them to avoid felling trees on roads which causes erosion and deterioration of roads.

He said Department of Feeder Roads in collaboration with Ghana News Agency and other media outlets will continue to educate farmers on road maintenance and community participation to improve feeder roads in cocoa growing areas.

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