By Christopher Tetteh
Arzah, (E/R), Dec. 18, GNA – The deplorable condition of a footbridge linking some local farming communities in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region is threatening the precious lives of the local dwellers with school children in particular.
The footbridge links cocoa growing communities of Torgodo, Arzah and Adibordornya connecting them to other communities like Labolabo, Namusi, Sojonu, Abrewanko, all in the Abrewanko Electoral Area of the municipality.
During a visit to the area, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) noticed that the wooden bridge built on the “Adibordor” river had nearly collapsed, exposing users including school children to dangers as school children and women mostly cross the river to school and market.
Mr Sampson Tettey, the Assembly Member for the Abrewanko Electoral Area told the GNA that people in the affected communities also cross the river to access healthcare at the Labolabo clinic, the nearest health facility in the area.
“It’s now extremely difficult for the people to cross the river due to the bad condition of the bridge,” he stated.
He appealed for support towards putting the facility into good shape, worrying that: “The local communities are virtually cut off, denying the people essential services due to the condition of the bridge.”
Mr Tettey recollected that: “A class four pupil using the bridge fell into and drowned in the river in 2023,” indicating that post-harvest losses of crops was also high in the area as farmers could not cross the river to sell their produce at market centers.
He expressed worry that construction work on a concrete bridge began seven years ago, however the project had been abandoned, and appealed to the Municipal Assembly to facilitate the resumption of work and completion of the project.
Nene Seth Tettey, the Dadematse (sub-chief) in the area also told the GNA that the deplorable condition of the bridge had affected the lives of the people, denying them access to healthcare and education.
He appealed for a quick intervention from the government and Mr Albert Nyakotey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yilo Krobo constituency to make life better for the rural dwellers.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/ Christabel Addo