channel247 online
Chiefs and residents of Kutukrom in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region are celebrating the arrival of mobile telecommunication services in the community for the first time in its history.
The long-awaited connectivity was made possible through the personal efforts of a native of the area, Mr. Johnson Agyire, a businessman and philanthropist, who single-handedly financed and constructed the mobile network without support from government or telecom operators.
Speaking in an interview with Channel 247 News’ Yaw Boagyan, Mr. Agyire said Kutukrom had suffered decades of complete telecommunication blackout, making communication extremely difficult for residents.
“People had to climb hills, mountains or even trees just to get a weak signal to make calls,” he explained.
According to him, the lack of network coverage discouraged essential public sector workers such as teachers and nurses from accepting postings to the community, with many requesting transfers to areas with better connectivity.
Mr. Agyire disclosed that several letters sent to successive governments appealing for telecommunication infrastructure yielded no response, despite his long-standing political support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Undeterred, he decided to personally fund the project to ease the hardship faced by residents.
“I am happy that Kutukrom and surrounding communities can now communicate freely,” he said, pledging to continue supporting development initiatives in deprived Nzema communities.
Beyond the mobile network project, Mr. Agyire is known for his philanthropic contributions, including the construction of hospitals, schools and mechanised boreholes across parts of the Nzema area.
“As a young businessman, I have taken it upon myself to help provide basic needs for deprived communities,” he added.
The Assembly Member for the Kutukrom Electoral Area, Hon. Edu MP, commended Mr. Agyire for the life-changing intervention, describing the previous situation as unsustainable for a community of more than 1,000 residents.
He used the occasion to appeal to government for additional infrastructure, including road rehabilitation and the establishment of a police post.
“Our roads are in a terrible state and have never been tarred since the community was founded. Residents have to travel to Axim or Prestea to report crimes, which is very far,” he said, expressing hope that the current NDC government would address the community’s development needs.
Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/YawBoagyan
