By: Darius Dapae
TARTWEH-DRAPOH, Sinoe County — Despite being surrounded by vast and valuable forest resources, residents of Tartweh-Drapoh in Sinoe County say their community remains largely underdeveloped, with little to show in terms of basic infrastructure and social services. Community members are now raising concerns about what they describe as long-standing neglect, pointing to deteriorating school facilities, impassable roads, and the lack of visible development initiatives.
According to residents, the condition of local schools continues to worsen, with damaged buildings and limited learning materials affecting students’ education. At the same time, poor road connectivity has made it difficult for farmers and traders to transport goods, especially during the rainy season. Many say these challenges persist even though the community is located in a forest-rich area that should be generating benefits for local development.
Beyond infrastructure concerns, residents are also questioning the legitimacy of their forest leadership. The Authorized Forest Management Committee (AFMC), which is responsible for overseeing forest-related activities and ensuring community benefits, is said to have exceeded its official tenure. The committee’s mandate reportedly expired in December 2025, yet no steps have been taken to conduct new elections.
Community members allege that current leaders are unlawfully remaining in power, with some individuals holding multiple positions in violation of governance guidelines. They argue that this situation has weakened transparency and accountability, raising doubts about how forest resources and related revenues are being managed.
“We are not seeing the impact of the forest in our lives,” one resident said. “Our schools are in poor condition, our roads are bad, and the same people are still in power even after their time has ended.”
Residents are now calling on the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to urgently intervene by organizing fresh elections for the forest committee. They believe that new leadership will help restore trust, improve governance, and ensure that benefits from the forest sector are used to support community development.
As frustration grows, many in Tartweh-Drapoh say the situation reflects a broader issue of underdevelopment in resource-rich communities. They are urging national authorities and stakeholders to take swift action to address both the leadership concerns and the pressing development needs of the area.
