Local leaders in the Krachi East constituency are urgently appealing to the government to take immediate steps to repair the Asukawkaw Bridge, which they say has become a deadly hazard after more than five decades of neglect.
Nana Odam-Gyamfi, President of the Akroso Traditional Council, has raised fresh concerns about the deteriorating condition of the bridge—originally built in 1970 under former President Jerry John Rawlings. He warns that the lack of maintenance over the years has turned it into a “potential death trap” for the thousands of commuters who use it daily.
Key among the dangers are the worn-out steel plates lining the bridge’s surface. These plates, especially hazardous during the rainy season, have been blamed for numerous accidents involving vehicles skidding or losing control. Multiple injuries and fatalities have been reported.
“The bridge has not seen any significant maintenance since it was constructed,” Nana Odam-Gyamfi told the Ghana News Agency (GNA). “We’re sitting on a time bomb.”
Assembly Member for the area, Mr. Mark Oduro, echoed the concerns, stating that immediate action is needed to avert more tragedies. He emphasized that both the Assembly and the Traditional Council are unified in calling for swift intervention.
Member of Parliament for Krachi East, Nelson Kofi Djabab, who recently inspected the bridge, also called on the Roads and Highways Authority to treat the situation with urgency. He noted that the bridge plays a crucial role in linking northern and southern Ghana and is now considered a high-risk zone for heavy-duty vehicles, which frequently crash while descending from the adjacent mountain.
“This bridge is no longer safe,” the MP said. “We’ve lost too many lives already. It’s time for real action—not promises.”
Community leaders and residents are now awaiting a government response as the rainy season looms, intensifying fears of further accidents on this crucial national link.
