The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has recently urged the contractors responsible for the construction of a new bridge spanning the Yapei river in the Western Gonja district to accelerate their efforts. The Yapei Bridge, a crucial steel structure that crosses the White Volta in Yapei within the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region, is a vital piece of transportation infrastructure in Ghana.
Along with the bridge at Buipe, the Yapei Bridge serves as a critical link for commuters and, particularly, heavy-duty vehicles that are essential for transporting goods. These bridges facilitate the movement of goods from the southern regions of Ghana not only to the northern parts of the country but also onward to neighboring Sahelian nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This makes their structural integrity and operational efficiency paramount for both national and regional trade and transportation networks.
However, the existing Yapei Bridge, which was originally constructed in the mid-1960s, has long surpassed its intended lifespan of 50 years. Its deteriorating condition led to its closure in 2017 due to significant dilapidation, causing considerable disruption to transportation and economic activities in the region. Recognizing the urgent need for a replacement, a contract was awarded in October 2024 for the complete construction of a new bridge measuring 240 meters in length.
During a recent tour of the ongoing construction works on Friday, April 11, Minister Kwame Agbodza conveyed his confidence in the ability of the contractors to execute the project in a timely manner, especially before the onset of the major rainy season. He expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the work observed thus far, stating his optimism that the construction of the new Yapei Bridge will be completed according to the planned schedule.
Minister Agbodza emphasized the critical nature of the project's timely completion, stating, "The bridge has outlived its life span and it is failing, indeed not too long ago, some works needed to be done to keep it going. The speed of the construction of this is very important. The bridge ought to be completed before the major rains start otherwise no work can be done." He acknowledged that while good progress has been made, there had been a delay in the issuance of a payment certificate to the contractor. He expressed gratitude to the contractor, noting that significant financial resources have already been invested in the project by them and that the pace of work, particularly on the substructure, is now beginning to accelerate.
Expressing his hope for the timely completion, the Minister reassured the people of the area, saying, "We are hopeful that this one will be completed on time…the people in this area should be rest assured that this bridge will be completed in time and to give them the fear that the old one will collapse and then cut off. God willing it will not happen." This statement aimed to alleviate the concerns of the local communities who rely heavily on this crucial transportation link.
It was also revealed that a total of $188 million is being allocated for the construction of four bridges in the region, namely the Yapei Bridge, the Buipe Bridge, the Daboya Bridge, and the Nawuni Bridge. Interestingly, a local construction company, Maripoma Enterprise, has been contracted for the construction of all four of these significant infrastructure projects. This substantial investment in the region's bridge infrastructure underscores the government's commitment to improving transportation networks and facilitating economic growth. The timely and successful completion of the Yapei Bridge will be a significant step towards achieving these goals and ensuring the continued connectivity of the northern regions with the south and neighboring countries.
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