Residents of the Buru-Navio enclave in the Kassena Nankana West District of Ghana’s Upper East Region continue to suffer the devastating effects of the collapsed Buru-Navio Bridge, more than two years after it caved in on March 24, 2022.
The bridge, a critical infrastructure link connecting key rural communities in Ghana to parts of neighbouring Burkina Faso, collapsed after a heavy haulage truck attempted to cross it. Since the collapse, mobility has become a daily struggle—especially for schoolchildren, traders, and community health workers who rely on the route.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Roland Apugido, Assemblyman for the Buru-Navio Electoral Area, described the ongoing situation as a severe humanitarian and economic challenge.
“People have to travel longer, dangerous routes just to access markets or health care. Children walk miles to school, and transporting goods has become a nightmare,” he lamented.
Mr. Apugido added that he recently led a delegation to meet the newly appointed District Chief Executive (DCE), Stephen Aeke Akurugo, to plead for immediate intervention.
Frustrated by years of inaction, residents say they have lost confidence in the previous NPP government, which they accuse of neglecting rural infrastructure. However, they remain cautiously hopeful that the current administration will prioritize the bridge reconstruction and restore their connection to essential services and trade.
Responding to the concerns, DCE Stephen Aeke Akurugo gave assurance that efforts are underway to resolve the crisis.
“I have placed calls to the national level and submitted a formal request. We are doing all we can to fix the bridge as soon as possible,” he said.
Source: A1radioonline | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
