Residents of Afunya, a farming community in the Kwaebibrem Municipality of the Eastern Region, are appealing to the government to urgently provide them with electricity and other basic social amenities. The community of about 600 people has no electricity, no potable drinking water, poor road access, no health centre, and despite having a well-furnished six-unit classroom block, there are no teachers to educate the children. Farmers in the community also say they receive no support to improve their livelihoods.
Community leaders and residents told Oyerepa News that although Afunya has a well-equipped six-unit classroom block, the Ghana Education Service withdrew all teachers because of the low number of pupils.
According to the residents, the decline in school enrolment is a direct result of the lack of electricity, which has forced many families to leave the community.
They are therefore appealing to the government to prioritise the extension of electricity to Afunya, believing it will revive the community, attract residents back, improve education, and create opportunities for development.
The Assembly Member for the Afunya-Estate Electoral Area, Hon. Evans Azuma, stated that the absence of electricity has negatively affected every aspect of life in the community.
He explained that the school has been abandoned, investors have stayed away, and many young people have migrated elsewhere in search of better living conditions.
Hon. Azuma said several efforts have been made to secure electricity for the community but have not been successful. He therefore appealed to the government and relevant authorities to urgently intervene so that the people of Afunya can enjoy the basic necessities of life and support the development of the area.