A metal footbridge that links Abuakwa and DKC in the Ashanti Region has been washed away by recent rains, cutting off the two communities from each other.
The bridge was constructed in 2022 after a TV3 report highlighting the plight of residents. But it is no longer safe for use.
Residents have to risk walking in the Asuoyeboah River to cross from one end of the community to the other.
Users of the bridge including school children have to take off their footwears and walk in the water to access their schools and other destinations.
“The recent heavy rains coupled with the diversion of the river led to the collapsed of the footbridge. The current situation makes living here unbearable”, a distraught resident, Nana Agyemang stated.
Crossing from one end of the river to another anytime it rains is impossible, residents hinted.
“A colleague student nearly got drowned whilst attempting to cross just last week. He was lucky to be blocked by the collapsed metal bridge that is lying there. We plead with authorities to come and fix the bridge for us to prevent any calamity”, Emmanuel Owusu, a junior high student revealed.
The main concrete bridge completed more than 4 years ago is yet to be made accessible. Residents complain of being sidelined.
“We find it difficult here. Our road networks are in terrible state. Security situation is getting worst here. Fixing this bridge for us too is a challenge.
It looks as if the government has abandoned us”, visibly worried Kofi Broni, a resident, lamented.
There is an alternative route but residents complain, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Abuakwa from DKC and vice versa.
Some of them have threatened not to vote on December 7 if their concerns are not addressed.
“We’ve been voting for years but not seeing any significant progress in this area. If this bridge is not fixed, none of us here at Abuakwa-DKC will vote this year”, Maame Nyarko warned.
Samuel Bekoe also added “this is an election year, if they don’t come to work on the bridge, we will advise ourselves because we’ve been complaining for long and it appears duty bearers do not care about us.”
Urgent reconstruction of the bridge, residents trust, will protect lives and livelihoods in the area.
Officers at the Atwima Nwabigya Municipal Assembly, however, said efforts are underway to fix the bridge and make movement between Abuakwa and DKC safe for residents.
