By Evans Attah Akangla | ignewss — Dzolokpuita, Volta Region
Construction has commenced on the reconstruction of the collapsed Dzolokpuita–Akome Bridge in the Ho West District following weeks of public concern and delays over the project’s design and implementation.
The bridge, a critical transport link connecting Dzolokpuita, Akome and several neighbouring communities to Ho and other parts of the Volta Region, collapsed earlier this year, disrupting movement and economic activities.
The incident gained national attention after videos of the damaged bridge circulated widely on social media.
Although the Ho West District Assembly had earlier announced the closure of the road to facilitate reconstruction, work was temporarily delayed as authorities deliberated on whether the replacement structure should be built with reinforced concrete or steel.
The decision was reached after consultations involving the District Assembly, the Regional Highways Department and the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
The delay sparked frustration among residents of Akome, Gborta, Gbogame and Agate, with youth groups announcing plans to stage a peaceful demonstration to protest the slow pace of the project.
The impasse was, however, resolved following the intervention of the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, and the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, who facilitated the delivery of steel components and other construction materials to the project site.
A visit to the site on Saturday showed that work had begun, with construction workers erecting temporary wooden support structures while materials for the permanent steel bridge had also been delivered.
The Chairman of the Works Sub-Committee of the Ho West District Assembly and the District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Alhaji Mukaila, was present to supervise the progress of the project.
Earlier, the Ho West District Chief Executive, Francis Profer Dusey, appealed to residents of Akome to suspend their planned demonstration, explaining that the government had already mobilised resources for the reconstruction.
Mr. Dusey said he was surprised by the planned protest despite what he described as significant progress made by the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other stakeholders.
He disclosed that engineers from the ministry’s Bridge Maintenance Unit had already begun constructing a temporary wooden bridge to allow motorcycles and other light road users to cross while work on the permanent steel bridge continues.
He commended the chiefs and residents of Dzolokpuita for their patience and cooperation throughout the period the bridge remained impassable.
The DCE also acknowledged that residents of Akome had formally notified the Ghana Police Service at Anyirawase of their intention to demonstrate on Saturday, July 11, 2026, to demand clarity on the project’s timeline, procurement process and value for money.
However, he urged them to exercise restraint in view of the progress made.
“I want to encourage the people to exhibit patience and give way for development. God has answered our prayers because the process to reconstruct the bridge has begun, and we should all support its successful completion,” Mr. Dusey said.
He expressed optimism that the project would restore safe movement, improve access to social and economic services, and provide lasting relief to thousands of residents and commuters who have endured months of transportation challenges.
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com