To enhance commuting and guarantee the safety of local drivers, the Atafoa bridge across the Owabi River in the Bantama Constituency of the Ashanti Region was rebuilt.
Frequently, the Owabi River would overflow its banks, resulting in severe floods in the region. Because of this, three people died last year and six the year before, requiring immediate action.
At a colorful ceremony, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially opened the bridge, stating that it symbolized accessibility and safety.
The 40-meter concrete bridge is a component of a larger project that was overseen by the Ghana Highway Authority and started in April 2023 to repair the Abrepo-Junction-Barekese-Offinso Road.
The government’s dedication to linking people, locations, and opportunities was symbolized by the bridge, he said.
The four kilometers of the Abrepo-Junction-Barekese Road that end at Kokoben will be resurfaced with asphaltic concrete as part of the project’s scope.
In order to alleviate the recurring flooding, it also entails the installation of large culverts and concrete roadside drains, as well as road line markings and road signage to improve pedestrian and vehicle safety.
The bridge’s renovation, according to Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister of Roads and Highways, addressed the long-standing problem of the Owabi River overflowing its banks and creating severe floods in the region.
According to the Minister, the components used in the bridge’s construction produced a robust, long-lasting, and secure infrastructure that complied with the strictest engineering requirements.
He said that residents of Bohyen, Abrepo, Atafoa, Ohwim, Amanfrom, Asuofua, Nketia, Adankwame, and Barekese would no longer have to struggle to cross the Owabi River thanks to the bridge, which would act as a lifeline and promote economic growth.
