September 2, 2025, The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, expressed a strong desire and official commitment to investigate the status of a €65 million loan facility designated for the construction and rehabilitation of three bridges that Parliament approved in 2020. These include the bridge over the Ankobra River at Sanwoma in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, the bridge spanning the River Iture between Elmina and Cape Coast in the Central Region, and the new Dikpe bridge over the Black Volta, connecting Lawra and Dikpe.
In 2020, Parliament approved a loan facility of 65 million Euros for the rehabilitation of the Ankobra and Iture bridges as well as the new bridge to be constructed over the Black Volta. These bridges have suffered from weather exposure, have outlived their usefulness, and have become quite weak. A new bridge is set to be constructed over the Black Volta, which will connect Ghana and Burkina Faso. In an interview with reporters, Mr. Nelson mentioned that the original construction of the bridge took place between 1983 and 1984 by Fermentation Construction Company. Since then,the bridge had not seen major rehabilitation works.
The Ankobra bridge has been exposed to harsh weather conditions and has become weak, having outlived its usefulness. The Western Regional Minister has committed to coordinating with the Structural Integrity department to perform a test run on the bridge, which will lead to necessary actions. In a conversation with reporters, the District Roads Engineer of Ellembelle, Mr. Saaka Alhassan, mentioned that letters have been sent to the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Accra, but he is still waiting for a definitive response regarding repairs or reconstruction. Mr. Joseph Agyekum, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle, also stated that the Assembly is aware of the bridge’s condition and will take measures to ensure the government addresses it. This bridge spans the Ankobra River and is part of the international road that connects various communities along the Western corridor from Takoradi and Tarkwa to Elubo, Half-Assini, and other West African countries, including La Côte d’Ivoire.
By Nzematoday TV
