Farmers and schoolchildren in communities such as Nkankama, Nsuta Dahomey, Subrima, Yayaso, Abodobi, Obrahoho, and surrounding farming communities in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region are preparing for the rainy season with growing concerns over the lack of a bridge over the River Yaya and Subri.
The absence of this critical infrastructure has led to annual post-harvest losses and disruption of education for children in the area.
The farming communities are known for the cultivation of tomatoes and other vegetables in commercial quantities attracting buyers from across Ghana and neighboring Togo.
However, the lack of a bridge and motorable roads has resulted in significant portions of farm produce rotting in the fields as farmers struggle to transport their goods to markets.
The situation is equally dire for schoolchildren, who are often unable to cross the river to attend school during the rainy season.
“Whenever it rains we struggle to cross the river. Some had to walk through the river so when it overflows school children can’t cross. Last time , a man nearly drowned but was rescued. So sometimes we have to walk to other community to use an alternate route to get to school so we pleading that you construct a bridge for us” Michael Ofori, Pupil lamented.
This has raised concerns among community leaders, including Alex Ayetey Tei, the Assembly Member for Nkankama Electoral Area, who lamented the impact of these challenges on education and livelihoods.
“We need a bridge over the river to connect communities namely subrima and Nkankama. The Children from Subrima normally cross this river on daily bases farmers at both communities cross this river to their various houses. Whenever the rain starts the river overflows its banks and becomes very difficult for the inhabitants especially the farmers and school children to cross. Another challenge facing the community is telecommunication network. In fact we have more than 100 communities over here. It is a business center. When it is tomato season traders come from all over Ghana -Accra, Kumasi,Tema Ashaiman and even Togo” said Alex Ayetey Tei, Assembly Member Nkankama Electoral Area
In response, the community has initiated a bridge construction project to address the long-standing issue.
The project has received a boost during a visit by Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey and Abigail Elorm Men say , Deputy National Women’s Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), now Acting CEO of MASLOC who hails from the district.
The officials donated 100 bags of cement and GH¢10,000 to support the initiative.
“Occasionally between the month of March to June /July when the rain starts the place becomes impassable. Farmers can’t cross from farm backhome. We decided that today we will come here to see the work being done. If you look at the nature of the work they need support. So we came here with out little support” Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister stated.
During the visit, the community presented a petition to the Regional Minister outlining other pressing challenges faced by the Nsuta Dahomey Electoral Area. These include poor road networks, limited access to healthcare, lack of telecommunications network and inadequate educational facilities.
The bridge project is seen as a critical step toward improving the lives of residents, enabling farmers to transport their produce to markets and ensuring that children can access education year-round.
