Several key bridges in the Wa West District of Ghana’s Upper West Region have collapsed following a heavy downpour, crippling transportation and halting access to essential services along the Varimpere-Lassie route, according to residents and local officials.
The incident, which occurred on July 12, 2025, has left multiple communities completely cut off from the district capital, Wechiau. The damage is most severe on the stretch of road connecting towns and villages to critical markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Speaking to Channel One News on Sunday, July 20, Ziembo Annetus Dery, Assembly Member for the Varempere Electoral Area, expressed deep concern over the situation.
“There are about three bridges that collapsed after the downpour that happened on July 12. We are therefore calling on anyone, including the government and the ministry, to come to our aid. The people are suffering.
“This is a major road. 80% of people entering Wa West use this road, and it links almost three markets in the town. We need immediate construction of the road,” he said.
According to Dery, temporary bypasses have been created to ease the disruption, but these alternatives are proving unreliable, particularly as more rains are forecast in the coming days.
District Chief Executive for Wa West, Richard Wullo, confirmed the severity of the damage, stating that the district assembly has deployed assessment teams and is working closely with relevant departments to develop a swift and lasting solution.
Meanwhile, frustrated motorists and farmers who depend on the route for their livelihoods have raised alarm over the economic toll the collapse could cause if left unaddressed.
“Our road has not been in good shape, and now the bridge is broken too. Using this road is now hectic for us, so we plead with the government to fix the bridge for us,” said Jacob Donyi, a motorist affected by the damage.
Liman Sabogor, a local farmer, shared similar frustrations. “We use this road to our farms, but it has not been in good shape. The bridge collapse has cut us off from our farms and other communities nearby. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid.”
Daari Adams, another farmer, said residents had long struggled with the poor road even before the collapse.
“When the bridge wasn’t broken, we still found it difficult using this road. We pleaded with the government to urgently come to our aid.”