Residents of Sakai, a farming community in the Sissala East Municipality of the Upper West Region, are warning politicians about their ongoing struggles with an unreliable telephone network.
With approximately 9,000 residents and surrounded by several other communities totalling about 30,000 people, the community has been grappling with this issue for the past 12 years.
In a press conference led by Saani Kantongboku, the Youth President of Sakai, residents expressed frustration over successive governments’ failure to address their telecommunications challenges.
They criticized politicians for making promises during elections but failing to deliver tangible improvements afterwards.
“The youth and the entire community are prepared to stage a demonstration against political rallies and politicians who promise us solutions without following through,” Kantongboku declared.
The absence of a functional telephone network has severely impacted daily life in Sakai. Health services are compromised as nurses are forced to leave the community to verify patients’ health insurance elsewhere.
Communication barriers hinder businesses, including those focused on women’s empowerment, and they can harm economic growth and development.
Assemblyman Kantongboku Gbene Elijah highlighted that the situation remains unchanged despite numerous appeals and letters to authorities, including follow-ups.
He described the issue as a cybersecurity threat and emphasized its adverse effects on education, security, and socio-economic activities in Sakai.
“We will abstain from participating in the 2024 elections if this situation persists,” Assemblyman Elijah warned, reflecting the community’s growing discontent and determination for change.
