By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Kadjebi (O/R), Aug. 16, GNA – Stakeholders at a District Child Protection Committee meeting in Kadjebi in the Oti Region, have called for the construction of a bridge over the River Asukwakwa at Dodo-Bethel to improve access to communities in the area.
They said the absence of a bridge over the river had made movement to and from Dodo-Bethel, Dodo-Berkpo, Asante Kofe, Kubease and other adjoining communities difficult, particularly during the rainy season.
The stakeholders said whenever it rained heavily and the river overflowed its banks, residents, including schoolchildren, were oftqen stranded and unable to cross to access essential services.
They said the situation also affected the education of children, as pupils sometimes had to stay at home whenever the river became impassable.
They said the situation posed a serious threat to the safety of residents, with some people reportedly losing their lives while attempting to cross the river.
Responding to the concerns, Mr Gregory Aeibo Kanchebe Tonozie, Kadjebi District Planning Officer, said the construction of a bridge at the location had been captured in the Assembly’s 4-year (2026-2029) Medium-Term Development Plan.
He said the Assembly recognised the importance of the bridge to the socio-economic development of the affected communities and would work towards securing the necessary resources for its construction.
Mr Tonozie also disclosed that there were plans to connect the communities to the national electricity grid to improve living conditions and support economic activities.
Mr Emmanuel Denyo, the Assemblyman for the Dodo-Bethel/Berkpo Electoral Area, confirmed the challenges confronting residents due to the absence of a bridge and the poor state of the road.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that residents were sometimes cut off from the rest of the district when the river overflowed its banks, making it difficult for them to access schools, markets, health facilities and other essential services.
Mr Denyo said two people tragically lost their lives about a year ago while attempting to cross the river.
He said the situation was particularly worrying for sick persons, pregnant women, children and other vulnerable residents who needed urgent medical attention at St. Mary Theresa Catholic Hospital at Dodi-Papase or Kadjebi.
He said some residents had reportedly lost their lives while attempting to seek medical attention because of the poor state of the road and the absence of a bridge.
Mr Denyo appealed to the Kadjebi District Assembly, the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, the Government and development partners, to prioritise the construction of the bridge and improvement of the road network to the affected communities.
He said the provision of the bridge would not only improve access to healthcare and education but also facilitate the movement of farm produce and promote economic activities in the area.
He urged stakeholders to treat the project as an urgent development need, saying its completion would significantly improve the safety and livelihoods of residents.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah
