Residents of Takpo‑Nyuori in the Nadowli‑Kaleo District of the Upper West Region are demanding a permanent bridge, arguing that the current makeshift wooden log crossing is unsafe and forces them to take longer routes during the rainy season, disrupting trade and daily activities.
For years, the community has relied on a temporary log bridge to cross a nearby waterway. Rising water levels during heavy rains often wash the structure away or render it impassable, forcing commuters to detour over several kilometres for a journey that is normally less than 800 metres.
Alijatu Salifu, a local trader, said the unsafe crossing regularly disrupts her business, especially when she must return home until water levels drop before she can cross again, adding that the delays affect her income.
Assembly Member Alexis Anzagra explained that the community lacks the resources to construct a permanent bridge, leading to repeated rebuilding after each rainfall. He described the bridge as a long‑standing headache that requires constant repair.
The residents have appealed to the government, the District Chief Executive, Member of Parliament Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah and other stakeholders for intervention. Sumah has expressed willingness to support the project, contingent on a technical assessment to determine the scope of work and whether the district can manage the construction.
Officials say a formal assessment will decide whether the bridge can be built at the district level or if higher‑level resources are required. The community’s appeal highlights the broader challenge of infrastructure gaps in rural Ghana, where temporary solutions often prove insufficient during the wet season.
