The absence of network services in the community, they say, is hampering economic activities and cutting them off from essential services such as healthcare, education, and emergency assistance.

Speaking to Adom News, the Gyasehene of Akyem Tweapease, Nana Asiamah Boadu II, expressed frustration at the situation.

He explained that farmers struggle to reach buyers, order farming inputs, or negotiate prices due to the lack of communication channels.

“The entire community is affected. People have to walk or even climb trees just to make a call, and this is unacceptable in today’s Ghana,” Nana Asiamah Boadu II stated.

Some residents lamented that the situation has left their community isolated from the rest of the country.

They described the struggle of traveling long distances to nearby towns before making simple phone calls.

Despite repeated appeals to mobile operators and the government, the residents say their concerns have gone unanswered.

They are therefore renewing their call for urgent intervention to ensure they are connected to the rest of the world.

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Source: Kwasi Azor

The lack of reliable mobile and internet services is significantly affecting the effectiveness of health professionals stationed in the area.

Basic tasks such as verifying patients’ National Health Insurance status or consulting digital medical records have become a challenge—slowing down processes and, at times, denying patients the care they deserve.

At the heart of the issue is the community’s midwife, Rebecca Boamah, who is often forced to rely on manual alternatives due to the absence of strong mobile signals.

The poor connectivity also hinders the community’s ability to coordinate emergencies, request referrals, or communicate with district health authorities.

Beyond healthcare, the issue has broader implications. Some government workers posted to the area reportedly decline the offer or request transfers due to the frustrating network conditions.

This trend has led to understaffing in key sectors, including education and agriculture extension services.

Meanwhile, telecommunications giants like MTN Ghana have ongoing network expansion initiatives aimed at closing connectivity gaps in underserved communities.

Complementing these efforts is the construction of an ultra-modern clinic, spearheaded by Odeefour Effah Opinamang III, chief of Kwawu Obomeng.

The facility, still under development, represents a bold, community-led initiative to improve healthcare infrastructure. However, without improved network access, the potential of this new clinic may not be fully realized.

This concern was raised during the Authority’s annual review conference in Sunyani.

Bono Regional NHIA Manager, Joseph Mensah, expressed concern over the persistent practice of healthcare providers imposing unauthorized fees on insured patients.

“These unlawful charges discourage individuals from renewing their health insurance cards, which ultimately impacts our operations and efforts to ensure accessible healthcare,” he stated.

Speaking at the conclusion of the 2024 Bono Regional NHIA Annual Review Conference, Mr. Mensah emphasized the negative effects of these fees on healthcare access and reaffirmed the NHIA’s commitment to addressing these challenges.

Despite these setbacks, the NHIA achieved 94% of its membership target for the year, enrolling 1 million people out of a goal of 1.1 million.

The Bono Region ranked second nationwide in universal health coverage, with over 74% of its population insured—marking a significant milestone for the region.

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