The 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces has brought hope to the residents of Ashalaja in the Ga South Municipality after the only bridge that serves the community collapsed last Monday, claiming one life.
The bridge caved in into the river when a Tipper truck attempted crossing it with heavy load in it. One person perished and two survived.
When the DAILY HERITAGE visited the scene, soldiers from the 48 Engineers Regiment were busy transporting residents across the river.
They told the paper that the Armed Forces command assigned them to transport the residents across the river in a boat until a solution was found.
The officers said they are able to ferry about 460 and 800 residents, including school children across the bridge for free with a live jacket for every passenger on the boat, daily.
Some of the residents told the paper that they are going through difficult moments as businesses have come to a halt or slowed down due to the collapse of the bridge in the community.
According to the residents, they had information that President John Dramani Mahama will be paying them a visit to inspect the collapsed bridge and also task engineers to find a quick solution to the problem.
But, they have not heard or seen any activity at the scene after officials visited the place last week Tuesday.
The paper observed that drivers have increased their fare due to the route from the town to Amasaman and other parts of the city. Taxi drivers charge GH¢15.00 per passenger from Kasoa or Amasaman to Obom.
Joyce Acheampong, a resident and caterer told the paper that the collapse of the bridge has really affected businesses because it was through the bridge that drivers conveyed food and goods in and out of the town.
She said “in order to avoid spending if you have no important business or work to do it is best to stay home because just a day one has to spend a lot on fares before you think of buying food to eat.”
Agnes Sackey, a resident explained that the fare of ‘Okada’ which used to be GH¢1.00 has been increased to GH¢2.00 from Kwame Anum to the main lorry station.
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