The people of Asuboni No. 3 who slept in darkness for over 200 years have finally been put on the national grid.  On Tuesday, 24th November 2020, the dream of the citizens and residents of Asuboni No. 3 became a reality. At exactly 8:00 pm, the Regional Manager of ECG, switched on the electricity transformer to commission the electrification project which heralded a new era in the lives of the people of Asuboni No.3.

The residents and school children spoke about how life was unpleasant without electricity. They walked for more than 45 minutes to nearby towns to charge their mobile phones and to watch television.  Many of the citizens had migrated to other towns; the school children could not engage in practical study of subjects like ICT due to lack of electricity.  A potentially vibrant community who once prided themselves as a great civilisation, was lagging behind in terms of development. The electricity is going to usher in excellence in education, industrialization, tourism, and many more.  Indeed, for the people of Asuboni No. 3 and Nkawkaw Municipal, a new dawn has arrived and is a turning point in the socio-economic development of the Municipality.

The joy and excitement of the residents were exceedingly great.  The young and old danced to music provided by spinners who thronged the community to join in the celebration.  It was indeed a sight to behold.  

The Queen mother, Nana Tenewaa Sarfoa II, could not hold back her tears as she expressed gratitude to Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng, the Deputy CEO of Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA) for keeping to her campaign promise to help bring light to her people. To her, Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng’s name will be engraved in the history of Asuboni No. 3. She shed tears as she recounted how the community had struggled over the years to get the authorities to bring them electricity, all to no avail. Her incredulity to Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng’s promise was proven wrong on that memorable day. ‘When I told Lawyer Joyce about our problem, she did not hesitate and pushed very hard to ensure she fulfills her promise.   We are witnessing a phenomenon that will transform the lives of my people forever!”  She thanked the President of the Republic for listening to the cries of rural communities and paid tribute to her ancestors for their spiritual guidance and protection.

She called on Government to come to their aid in the provision of motorable roads (ironically, the Accra-Kumasi Highway passed through Asuboni No. 3 in years gone by, but was diverted from there, and the once-thriving community lost its commercial attraction and status).  The dilapidated school, unable to contain the increasing student population, yearns for expansion and rehabilitation.  The over 600 people in that community require a health post or CHIP compound to cater for their health needs.  Asuboni #3 is endowed with one of the most beautiful waterfalls this country possesses and is yet to attract the needed investment and development as a tourist site.

Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng, on her part, said ‘Throughout my campaign, I discovered this unique scenic and pristine town – the green vegetation, the waterfalls and the natural stones molded into mortar and pestle seeming to suggest a civilization dating back to the stone age, and site for archaeological and anthropological study.  After finding out there is no light, I made a promise to the queen mother and the entire community to help in getting the government to provide electricity to the town.”   She recounted efforts she personally made to ensure that the community was added to ECG’s projects for the year 2020.  She also expressed her deepest gratitude to the Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Owuraku Aidoo (MP for Kwabre) Mr. Abraham Lincoln, manager of ECG, Koforidua, and Mr. Kofi Boamah, the regional engineer who assisted her throughout the process to make the project a success. She further gave thanks to H.E. Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo for always listening to the cry of the people. She also urged members of the community to cast their votes for Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo and his parliamentary candidate Joseph Frimpong for more developmental projects.

The NPP parliamentary candidate for Nkawkaw constituency, Hon. Joseph Frempong honored Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng for making the dream of the people of Asuboni No.3 a reality. He also urged the people that when NPP retains power, he will collaborate with Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng to provide the best education and other social amenities to the community.

By Sheila Anokwah & Michael Owusu Agyekum
Editor Lawyer Joyce Opoku-Boateng