Atrobinya, a small farming community in the Shai-Osudoku constituency of the Greater Accra Region, continues to grapple with decades of neglect and slow development despite its potential. Home to fewer than 4,000 people, the community is widely known for its rice farming, yet residents remain deprived of essential services and infrastructure.
Unfulfilled Promises and Neglect
Originally established as a farming settlement, Atrobinya has contributed significantly to local agricultural production. However, development has bypassed the community, leaving residents to struggle with inadequate infrastructure. Roads remain unpaved and often impassable during the rainy season, cutting residents off from nearby towns and markets.
Access to tap water is also unreliable, forcing many households to depend on the Volta River for water, exposing them to health risks.
Health services remain another pressing challenge. The community lacks a proper health centre, compelling residents to travel long distances during emergencies. Limited improvements have reached only a few areas, while most fundamental needs remain unaddressed.
Economic Struggles and Farming Challenges
Agriculture remains Atrobinya’s main source of livelihood, but farmers face major hurdles. The absence of proper storage facilities results in post-harvest losses, and a lack of access to modern equipment and techniques keeps productivity low. Farmers also struggle to find reliable buyers for their produce, limiting their income and discouraging expansion.
Youth unemployment adds to the economic strain. With limited job opportunities in farming and no significant industries, many young people migrate to urban areas in search of better prospects, leaving the community’s agricultural workforce depleted.
Education and Social Life
Education in Atrobinya is severely limited. The community has only a primary school, forcing children to travel long distances to continue their education. Some are unable to cope with the hardship and drop out altogether, perpetuating cycles of poverty and underdevelopment.
Despite these challenges, Atrobinya is a socially cohesive community where people of diverse religious beliefs live peacefully, fostering unity and mutual respect.
A Call for Urgent Action
Residents of Atrobinya believe that their development needs can no longer be ignored. They are calling on government, the Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku, and local assembly members to prioritize their community in ongoing development projects.
Key demands include improved road networks, expanded tap water systems, the construction of a health centre, and better school facilities to secure the future of their children. A newly begun road project in the constituency has yet to extend to Atrobinya, and residents are urging authorities to ensure it does not bypass them once again.
Article By Dugbatey Helina