Roads and Highways Minister, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has directed the immediate closure of a major bridge linking several communities in the Atwima Mponua District in the Ashanti Region due to its deteriorating condition.

The worsening state of the bridge poses a significant danger to motorists, particularly farmers who transport their produce from Kotokuom and surrounding farming areas to urban centres.

Situated on the Offin River, the bridge has weakened due to frequent use by heavy-duty trucks, causing the metal beams to become fragile, the surface to develop deep cracks, and the pillars at the edges to break apart. Despite multiple appeals from residents for repairs, their pleas were initially unheeded. Some took to social media to highlight the bridge’s critical condition and to call for urgent intervention.

Their efforts caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama, who subsequently directed the Roads and Highways Minister to visit the area and take immediate action to address the issue. Accompanied by engineers from the Ministry, the Minister announced that the bridge has been handed over to contractors, who will commence repair work immediately.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Security Council has advised motorists to use alternative routes while the bridge undergoes repairs