A 17-year-old student from Nkwanta Senior High School in the Oti Region drowned tragically at Gyelen Bridge in the Bontibor agricultural community. The event happened on Monday afternoon, while he was returning from the farm.
Recent severe rains had swept away the bridge, cutting off the community's business operations.
The bridge, which was completed about a year ago, collapsed owing to substandard materials, despite several objections from community residents about its condition.
Confirming the incident to Adom News, Frank Yeboah, Assembly Member for Bontibor/Salifukrom Electoral Area, blamed the disaster on the bridge's poor construction, stating that no community member had the oversight responsibility to ensure proper standards were met during its construction.
He accused the contractor of incompetence in the terrible death of the young student, who was in his second year at Nkwanta SHS. The overflowing river contributed to the calamity.
Mr. Yeboah urged the government and related authorities to build a new bridge for the people of Bontibor, allowing them to carry farm produce to market centers. He further stated that pregnant ladies and sick people cannot travel to local hospitals for treatment, while others in need of basic essentials are stranded.
Nana Obirikiti Amanado, the Paramount Chief of the Ntrubo North Traditional Area and the deceased's grandfather, expressed grief at his grandson's terrible demise.
He stated that complaints concerning the bridge had gone unaddressed for more than 13 months, indicating a failure to repair structural issues that prevented it from serving its intended purpose.
The chief further stated that repeated appeals to both the contractor and the ruling NPP administration regarding the usage of quality materials for the bridge had received no response.
He asked President John Dramani Mahama and his NDC government to take immediate action, emphasizing that the community cannot afford to lose more lives, particularly women and children.
He further stated that the roads from Brewaniase via Pusupu to Bontibor and Salifu-Krom are in poor condition, endangering locals' safety and livelihoods.
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