Nkrankwanta: Government workers, primarily health personnel, in the Dormaa West District of the Bono Region are facing increased challenges due to high rent charges, which are discouraging them from remaining in the district for work.
According to Ghana News Agency, during interviews conducted in Nkrankwanta, the district capital, these workers expressed their inability to cope with the current rent situation, urging the government to intervene. Current investigations revealed that the annual rent for a single room in Nkrankwanta is not less than GHC7,000.
Landlords in the area attribute the increased rent charges to the rising cost of building materials, such as sand and gravel. Nana Takyi Peprah, the Akwansra Amankorahene (sub-chief) of the Dormaa Traditional Area, acknowledged the rising cost of living in Nkrankwanta-a cocoa-growing town-and appealed to landlords to reconsider rent charges to encourage workers to stay and accept postings in the town.
Nana Peprah emphasized the importance of retaining government workers, especially health care providers, as their presence is crucial for the community's well-being. Mr. Daniel Owusu-Amponsah, the Dormaa West District Director of Health Services, noted that high rent charges are negatively impacting staff retention, with some critical staff and health personnel having already left the district.
He also highlighted the urgent need for the expansion of the government hospital and the acquisition of modern medical devices to meet the increasing health demands of the population. In response, Mr. Stephen Azorba Awuni, the Dormaa West District Chief Executive, mentioned that the Assembly, in collaboration with Mr. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, the Member of Parliament for the area, plans to initiate a 10,000-housing unit project soon.
He urged government workers to endure the current situation as efforts to improve housing conditions are underway.
