Residents of Gruba Appeal to Government for Proper Bridge Over Ayensu River to End Dangerous Daily Crossings
Residents of Gruba, a farming community in the Upper West Akim District, are urgently calling on the government to construct a proper bridge across the Ayensu River, warning that the current makeshift crossing poses a serious threat to lives, especially for schoolchildren and farmers.
The community relies on an abandoned railway line that has been converted into a narrow, makeshift bridge to cross the river and reach nearby villages, farms, and essential services. With no alternative route available, hundreds of residents — including pupils heading to school and farmers transporting produce — are forced to use this precarious structure every day.
The Assembly Member for the area has publicly appealed to the Member of Parliament for Upper West Akim, Emmanuel Drah, and the District Chief Executive, Rebecca Chissah, to prioritize the construction of a safe bridge when development resources are being allocated.
He explained that the absence of a proper bridge has left the community completely isolated during certain periods, particularly when the river swells. The old railway line, now serving as the only crossing point, is extremely narrow — allowing just one person to pass at a time. Anyone approaching from the opposite direction must wait until the person ahead has safely completed the crossing, creating long delays and heightening the risk of accidents.
Residents described the situation as increasingly dangerous, with fears that a single misstep could result in a fall into the river below. Community members also highlighted the broader lack of basic social amenities in the area, saying the bridge issue has compounded their daily hardships and limited access to markets, healthcare, and education.
Some relief has come through support from the Cocoa Life programme, which funded concrete reinforcement work on sections of the structure to improve stability and safety. However, residents stressed that these improvements are temporary and fall far short of what is needed for reliable, year-round access.
The community is therefore making a direct appeal to the government to intervene and construct a modern, durable bridge over the Ayensu River. Such infrastructure, they argue, would not only eliminate the daily risk to life and limb but also boost agricultural productivity, improve school attendance, and enhance overall quality of life for Gruba and surrounding areas.
Local leaders and residents are hopeful that their plea will receive urgent attention from the relevant authorities and that the necessary steps will be taken to provide a safe and permanent solution to this long-standing challenge.
