A businessman and native of Azosidaana, Simon Abongo Akedita, has led a community effort to construct a bridge over a stream that has for years made movement between Azosidaana and Asologo in the Bongo-Soe area difficult, particularly during the rainy season.
The bridge, estimated to cost more than GH¢30,000, is expected to provide residents with a safer and shorter route to health facilities, schools, farms and markets when completed.
For years, residents travelling between the two communities have had to either use a longer alternative route or cross the stream, an option that becomes increasingly dangerous when water levels rise during the rainy season.
Speaking to the media at the project site, Mr Akedita said the situation had particularly affected women and children who needed to access essential services but often did not have access to transportation.
He identified access to the Bongo-Soe Health Centre as one of the major challenges confronting residents, explaining that people sometimes had little choice but to cross the stream even when conditions were difficult.
To get the project underway, Mr Akedita personally contributed 50 bags of cement and 50 pieces of 16mm iron rods, while community members and other individuals have provided additional money and building materials.
The Assembly Member for the area, Aboga Ateo, has also donated 10 bags of cement towards the construction.
Despite the contributions received so far, the project requires additional support to reach completion, prompting residents and traditional authorities to appeal to individuals, organisations and public authorities for assistance.
Chief of Azosidaana, Naba Paul Agana Nyaaba, said the community had lived with the challenge for many years despite several appeals to authorities and political actors for a solution.
He expressed appreciation to Mr Akedita for taking the initiative and appealed to other stakeholders to contribute towards completing the bridge.
Some residents said completing the project would improve access to healthcare, schools, farms and markets while reducing the risks faced by children and other community members who cross the stream.
The community is therefore hoping to mobilise the remaining financial and material resources needed to complete the bridge before residents can fully benefit from the safer connection between Azosidaana and Asologo.
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