Residents of Amanase in the Ayensuano district of the Eastern Region are grappling with isolation after heavy rains caused the collapse of the community’s only bridge linking them to neighboring Aboabo.
The sudden destruction has severed a crucial transport route, halting movement of people and goods, and cutting off access to schools, markets, and healthcare facilities.
Though no injuries were reported, the flooding and damage have intensified hardships, particularly for women and schoolchildren who face dangerous conditions trying to cross the swollen river. The bridge’s failure exposes long-standing neglect, with local authorities confirming that repeated warnings about its deteriorating state went unheeded.
District Chief Executive Joshua Yaw Frederick Lartey expressed deep frustration over the lack of maintenance, calling the bridge a “ticking time bomb” whose collapse was preventable. Both he and the Assembly Member, who doubles as the NADMO Director for the district, are urging the government and regional officials to prioritize reconstruction efforts without delay.
The community’s plea highlights the bridge’s essential role not only in daily convenience but in sustaining education, healthcare access, and economic activities. With livelihoods on hold, residents and leaders alike stress that restoring this link is a matter of urgent survival and development for Amanase and its environs.
