By Emmanuel Koffa
In a striking example of citizen-led development, a local miner has taken on responsibility many residents say should have been addressed by the state decades ago.
Hillary Gray, a licensed Class ‘C’ miner, and a native of Bolloh Poe District, has earned for himself praises.
This became real to Gray when he initiated water and road projects in a community long cut off from basic services to include safe drinking water and motor roads.
For decades, residents of Bolloh Poe have walked long distances to fetch unsafe water, while impassable roads isolated the community from markets, clinics, and schools.
Residents say these conditions persisted with little external intervention.
Rather than waiting for government action, Mr. Gray mobilized his personal resources and constructed three hand pumps. He also rehabilitated another damaged one, immediately easing the daily burden on families and improving public health.
He also constructed road feeder roads that linked Poe to surrounding communities; a move, residents described as ‘bold’ to reconnect Bolloh Poe to economic opportunities and essential services.
“This is not politics. This is survival,” a resident said, noting that the initiatives highlight what determined individuals can achieve where institutions have fallen short.