Residents along the Hwidiem-Kenyase stretch in the Asutifi North and South districts of the Ahafo Region could soon heave a sigh of relief as contractors work briskly to complete rehabilitation works on their road. 

Officials of Kofi Job Construction are positive of completing the 8.2km stretch of road before its scheduled completion date in 2023.

Commenced three months ago, the 8.2 kilometer road project is a fully-funded construction initiative by the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited.

The project, worth ¢71 million, forms part of the mining company’s efforts to enhance social relations with communities within its catchment of operations.

The deplorable road from Hwidiem to Kenyasi has over the years incensed residents, including traditional rulers, to stage a series of protests against the government. 

The dusty and muddy nature of the road impacted adversely on socio-economic activities with many local businesses grinding to a halt. 

But the road project, abandoned by contractors in 2020 over alleged financial constraints, is gradually taking shape as a total of 1.5kms of the road receive asphaltic overlay, with the remaining stretch seeing base late construction works. 

Project Engineer of Kofi Job Construction Limited, Kofi Kankam is promising a speedy but standard completion of the road to ease burden on road users. 

“We’ve done almost about 3.5kms. We are almost half way through. We are hoping to complete on schedule. It has taken the collaboration among Newmont Ghana, the government, and local authorities to push up this work,” he said.

The road links five adjoining communities to the Ahafo South mine of Newmont Ghana Limited.

During an inspection tour with Journalists for Business Advocacy, Chief Executive officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Sulemanu Koney, expressed confidence that the road project would revive economic activities within the enclave.  

“We have businesses operating within the enclave. It’s proper that businesses have conducive environment to do their work. And I’m quite elated about what Newmont has opted to do. We are hoping that in no time, it will be completed. Businesses and chiefs around here will benefit,” he said.

Some traders and residents are optimistic of an economic boost in the communities. 

“Before there were a lot of dust here, but it’s not like that anymore. I don’t have to be cleaning my products always,” a trader added.