School pupils in Alafia and Ayuu communities in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern region are forced to stay home for weeks whenever a river they have to cross to school overflows.
The Kua River, the largest in the district, passes through many farming communities but the unavailability of a bridge over the Store-Ano stretch of the River makes it difficult for residents in Store-Ano and communities such as Ayuu and Alafia located at the back of the river to cross whenever it overflows.
During raining seasons, the plight of the communities worsen, compelling school children to stay at home for weeks with pregnant women in labour and critically ill persons having to use long winding alternate routes to access healthcare in other communities.
During such periods, farmers in those communities are unable to convey their farm produce to the market.
Residents who had crossed the River to other communities before an unexpected rainfall are forced to spend many days with their friends and relatives in surrounding communities until the River subsides before they could return to their homes.
A pupil is said to have drowned in the river in his attempt to cross it.
“River Kua has no bridge so whenever it rains, we are unable to cross. Farmers, school children, and pregnant women everybody cannot cross. The situation is worst during raining season. School children spend a one week to two weeks home waiting for the River to subside before they come to school at Adimadim community, ” a resident told Starr News.
The resident said wooden bridges constructed by them are washed away whenever the River overflows.
They are therefore appealing to the Minister of Roads and Highways , Kwasi Amoako Atta to select the community among the list of communities to benefit from the construction of 5000 steel bridges by the government in collaboration with the 48 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Acting District Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in Ayensuano District, Joseph Okai Gyan led a team to assess the plight of the people.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
