More than 200 farmers in the Asante Akyem South and Central districts of the Ashanti Region are raising concerns over delays in compensation following the construction of the 15.4-kilometre Konongo Bypass on the Accra–Kumasi highway.
According to the affected farmers, the road project, which cuts through Yawkwei, Konongo, and Ohene-Nkwanta, has destroyed and disrupted hundreds of cocoa farms and food crop lands that served as their primary source of livelihood.
The farmers say they were assured by officials from the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), the National Highway Authority, and COCOBOD that compensation would be paid after proper assessment and valuation of their farms. However, they claim that despite several assessments and engagements, no fair or timely compensation has been paid.
Some of the affected households told reporters that repeated follow-ups with the relevant authorities and contractors have yielded no results, describing the situation as neglect and broken promises.
“Our farms are our only source of income. Now they are gone, and we have not been compensated. Life has become very difficult for our families,” one affected farmer lamented.
The farmers say the prolonged delay has plunged many families into economic hardship, as they depend almost entirely on cocoa and food crop farming for survival.
Their fears have deepened following the recent announcement by the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, about plans for a new Accra–Kumasi expressway project during the Government Accountability Series on September 30, 2025. According to them, the new project raises concerns that their pending compensation claims may be overlooked.
The affected families indicate that they have used several informal channels within their communities to seek redress and have granted multiple media interviews to draw attention to their plight, but these efforts have not produced any satisfactory outcome.
They are now calling for advocacy support, petitioning relevant state institutions, and possible legal representation to ensure they receive appropriate compensation for the loss of their livelihoods.
The farmers are therefore appealing to government and relevant authorities to urgently intervene and settle their compensation to prevent further hardship among affected households.
