PANTA DISTRICT, Bong County – Women traders and farmers in Jorwah town and surrounding areas near Liberia’s border with Guinea are sounding an urgent alarm over the increasingly deplorable state of the Belefanai-Jorwah-Guinea road. This crucial route, which connects dozens of farming communities to local markets, has become virtually impassable, severely impacting livelihoods and endangering lives.
Patience Wamah, a prominent local trader and advocate, passionately appealed for immediate government intervention. “This road has become a nightmare for us. We struggle daily just to transport our goods to market. Our families depend on the little income we earn, and now even that is under threat,” she emphasized.
The dire conditions of the road have turned it into what locals describe as a “death trap.” Motorists and passengers regularly risk severe injuries, and pregnant women face life-threatening delays when trying to reach health facilities such as Phebe Hospital in Suakoko and C.B. Dunbar Hospital in Gbarnga. “The state of this road is literally a matter of life and death,” Wamah explained. “Pregnant women cannot easily access ambulances during emergencies, and some have tragically lost their lives waiting for help.”
Market women, many of whom are single mothers and sole breadwinners, have faced severe economic hardships due to increased transportation costs. The fare from Jorwah to Gbarnga has skyrocketed from 1,000 Liberian Dollars to a staggering 2,500 Liberian Dollars, placing an unbearable financial strain on struggling families. The rough journey has also led to frequent injuries, compelling traders and passengers alike to seek medical treatment after their trips.
Our reporter witnessed firsthand how the deplorable road conditions could potentially isolate the entire region, comprising several towns and villages, especially during the heavy rains. Daily accidents and injuries have become a grim reality, causing market women attending the Naamah local market significant distress.
Wamah urgently called on Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris to escalate their plea to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, emphasizing that repairing this critical route is essential for the survival and economic independence of women traders and farmers in the region.
“We appeal to President Boakai and the Ministry of Public Works to prioritize repairing our road,” Wamah urged. “Our livelihoods, safety, and the futures of our children depend on immediate action.”
Women’s contributions to agriculture in Liberia are profound, accounting for approximately 80% of the agricultural workforce and 93% of food crop production. Yet, their efforts remain severely hampered by inadequate infrastructure, limited access to resources, and systemic neglect. Improving road conditions is not just infrastructure development; it is empowering women economically and securing better futures for entire communities.
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