A 24-Kilometre feeder road, from Ntreaso to Dollar Power, is under construction in the Bole district of the Savanna region. The project, follows a report submitted by the Ghana Boundary Commission after the Commission’s first visit to Dollar Power, in 2021, to determine the state of the boundary lines between Ghana and La Côte d’Ivoire.
Officials from the ministries of lands and natural resources, and roads and highways and the national boundary commission have visited the area to assess progress of work and to encourage residents on both sides of the divide to live at peace.
The International Boundary Line between Ghana and La Côte d’Ivoire has existed since 1928, by the British and Francophone colonialists. Boundary Pillars were constructed and mutually positioned by both countries to officially demarcate the boundary to avoid dispute. In 1973, the two countries conducted a joint demarcation exercise, constructed Boundary Pillars and planted Teak Trees along the International Boundary Line to reinforce the existing Boundary Pillars.
However, residents in Dollar Power and adjoining communities on both sides of the boundary line have been actively engaged in extensive small scale illegal mining, due to the high deposits of rock surface gold along the boundary area. The activities have resulted in the removal of boundary pillars and forest degradation in the area. In 2021, the Ghana Boundary Commission first visited Dollar Power during a joint Ghana / Côte d’Ivoire assessment of the international boundary pillars that demarcate the two countries.
The Commission observed the inaccessible nature of the community and incorporated it in its report. It has been two years now and a 24-Kilometre feeder road, from Ntreaso to Dollar Power is being constructed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways, with the 48 Engineers Regiment as the contractors, and scheduled for completion by June 2024.
At a durbar at Dollar Power, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Jinapor, said Dollar Power has the potential to harness the country’s minerals on a large scale if the right procedures are followed. The National Coordinator or the National Boundary Commission, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kotia, said the road project is part of the Commission’s human security intervention in its catchment areas.
The people of Dollar Power say, they are grateful to the government for the development efforts in the area. They however asked for a community mining concession and licensing for responsible mining in the area. The people say, they also want a bridge to be constructed over the Black Volta Lake or a ferry to aid Economic activities in the area.
