A disaster is looming over the Offin River Bridge in the Atwima Mponua Constituency, yet authorities remain indifferent as desperate motorists and residents continue to gamble with their lives.
The bridge at Kotokuom, built in 1957, has never seen a single repair or maintenance work. Today, nearly two-thirds of the bridge has turned into a death trap that should have been shut down long ago. But instead of urgent intervention, it has been left to the mercy of the elements, waiting for tragedy to strike before action is taken.
According to reports by Amara Shakur, a concerned citizen and Tiktoker who visited the area, thirteen cocoa-growing communities depend on this bridge to transport their produce to Kumasi. Heavy-duty cocoa trucks, however, are officially banned from using the bridge due to its dangerous condition. Instead, desperate cocoa farmers are forced to offload their produce onto another waiting truck across the bridge, creating costly delays and logistical nightmares.
A local elder told Amara Shakur that politicians have continuously exploited the community’s plight for votes, making empty promises every election season only to disappear once they assume office.
“We have been crying for help for years, but nothing is done. Every election, politicians come and promise us a new bridge. But after we vote, they vanish, leaving us to suffer,” one resident lamented.
The bridge, which should have been closed entirely, has only a weak signage warning of the danger ahead. The notice restricts vehicles over a certain gross weight, but reckless taxi drivers and some nonchalant motorists continue to risk their lives, believing their vehicles are lightweight enough to cross safely.
“People are gambling with death every day. The bridge shakes under the weight of even small cars, and it’s only a matter of time before it collapses with people on it,” another resident warned.
Meanwhile, the community is pleading with the Ashanti Regional Minister and President Mahama to come to their rescue, as their calls to successive governments have been ignored.
With the bridge hanging by a thread and no real action from authorities, the question remains: Will Ghana wait until lives are lost before fixing this disaster-in-waiting?
Source: The Hawk