Oti Region: 17-Year-Old Student Drowns After Bridge Collapse in Nkwanta South

 

A 17-year-old student of Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region has tragically drowned at Gyelen Bridge in the Bontibor farming community.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon as the student was returning from the farm.

The bridge, which was constructed about a year ago, collapsed due to recent torrential rains and alleged inferior materials used in its construction. Despite numerous complaints from community members about its quality, no action was taken to address the structural issues.

The Assembly Member for Bontibor/Salifukrom Electoral Area, Frank Yeboah, attributed the disaster to the poor construction of the bridge, stressing that the contractor’s negligence led to the tragic loss of the young student.

Mr. Yeboah called on the government and relevant agencies to construct a new bridge for the people of Bontibor, citing the need for safe transportation of farm produce to market centers.

He highlighted that the community is currently facing significant challenges, including limited access to healthcare, stressing that pregnant women and sick individuals are unable to travel to nearby hospitals for treatment.

He further emphasized that community members in need of basic necessities are stranded due to the lack of a functional bridge.

Nana Obirikiti Amanado, Paramount Chief of Ntrubo North Traditional Area and grandfather of the deceased, expressed shock over the tragic death of his grandson.

He urged the government to take urgent action to address the infrastructure challenges in the community, including the construction of a new bridge and improvement of the roads.

The tragic loss of the young student serves as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to address the infrastructure challenges in the Bontibor community.

The government and relevant agencies must take immediate action to construct a new bridge and improve the roads to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety and well-being of community members.

 

Source: ghanawatchonline.com/0546062832