Oti residents appeal for Dambai bridge construction

Some residents of Oti Region have appealed to the government to fulfill its promise to construct a bridge across the Oti River at Dambai.

They said the lack of progress on the project was causing significant disruptions to transportation and economic activities in the area.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is said to have announced that a Dutch company would build the bridge to ease the region's transportation difficulties. 

However, with the project yet to materialise several months after the promise was said to have been made, coupled with the subsequent assessments by engineers who deemed the bridge project appropriate for the location, the residents said it was necessary to remind the government about the situation.

Sharing their concerns with the Daily Graphic in Accra, the residents stressed that the consequences of the delay in the construction was telling on the inhabitants.

A resident of Kete Krachi, Ellen Amaoh, said the promise was made clearly in the presence of chiefs, and as such she lamented why it had not been delivered. 

“We are suffering, and our businesses are being crippled by these constant transportation disruptions. We initially planned to raise awareness through an advertising campaign, but we think the media can help us to get the attention of the authorities," she said.

Another resident, who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity, pointed out that a couple of days ago, a ferry broke down, leading to over 40,000 vehicles being stranded on either side of the crossing.

The resident also stated that travellers were unable to access vital markets and commercial centres for days on end.

The resident said the proposed bridge was not only crucial for the Oti Region, but would also benefit the broader Ghanaian economy.

“The route between Accra and Tamale, which passes through the Oti area, is a vital commercial corridor, and the bridge would significantly shorten travel time and improve efficiency,” the source said.

“As the Oti residents continue their plea for government’s intervention, the urgency of the situation is clear. With economic activities stifled and transportation challenges escalating, the community is hopeful that the authorities will heed our call and prioritise the construction of the promised bridge without further delay,” the resident added.

Background

While meeting chiefs as part of his two-day tour of the Oti Region in September 2021, the President promised that a bridge over River Oti would be his greatest legacy for the region.

The river takes its source from the Northern Region, and the bridge was to be constructed over a section of the river at Dambai to improve turnaround time for passengers and traders.

When a traveller misses the boat, he or she has to undertake a long winding detour of about five hours to reach Kete Krachi.

At one time, a ferry boat, “Freedom and Justice”, which replaced an old one in 2012, shuttled between one end of the Dambai section to the main land.

It takes about 15 minutes to cross the river with the ferry boat, while other boats use about 30 minutes at the minimum.