Kulungugu: Road users appeal for the creation of temporal diversions following closure of bridge

Following the closure of the Kulungugu Bridge on the Missiga-Kulungugu highway, motorists plying the stretch have been asked to use two alternative routes to get to their preferred destinations. 

 These are 26 kilometre stretch from Bawku through Mognori into Burkina Faso and 55 kilometre stretch from Missiga through Polmakom to Cinkasse into Burkina Faso. 

According to a statement issued by the Ghana Highway Authority, the closure of the bridge which began yesterday and expected to last for four weeks, was to pave way for major rehabilitation works due to its deplorable state. 

 Meanwhile, road users are appealing to the authority to consider creating temporal diversions since the route is preferably short and much convenient as compared to the alternative routes provided.

Heavy Duty Truck Driver, Malik Ibrahim

Assembly Member, Kulungugu Electoral Area Hon. Alhassan Wusubur

Report

Kulungugu is a small town in the Upper East Region and a minor entry point at the border of Burkina Faso and Bawku as well as Pusiga.

The 100 kilometer drive from Bolgatanga equally links Ghana to neighbouring Niger and Togo.

 For years, the Kulungugu Bridge had served as entry and exit points for the transportation of good and services to and from Burkina Faso.

 The bridge which is part of the eastern corridor road is now at the verge of collapse as portions of the bridge are worn out, thereby exposing its physical defects. 

The bridge poses a death trap and requires a short term measure to avert a possible collapse. 

As a result, the Ghana Highways Authority announced for the closure of the bridge to enable the Bridge Maintenance Unit of the Authority carry out major repair works.

 The closure of the said bridge which began yesterday is to be opened to traffic on the 18^th of next month barring any unforeseen event.  

 Since the pronouncement, drivers among other road users have raised concerns about the sudden closure, which they noted would affect their daily activities considering the short notice. 

They argued that though some alternative routes have been provided, it was still expedient for the Highways Authority to consider creating temporal diversions since the existing routes are long and winding. 

In response to the concern raised, the DCE for Pusiga, Abdullai Zuberu told Radio Ghana that a contractor had been called on site to begin with the proposed diversion.

 He however emphasized that his outfit is in talks with the highway maintenance engineer to as a matter of urgency extend the closing period to Friday March 23^rd as this might affect the socio-economic activities and huge revenue loss to the assembly. 

The Regional Highways Director, Philip Samwini who spoke to our team off camera said a four-man engineering team had since been deployed to the site to commence work, adding that measures are in place to complete work on schedule. 

Meanwhile, movement of heavy duty trucks are being restricted in order not to put undue gravity on the bridge to force its possible collapse.  

END

Bolgatanga: Residents of Yikene welcomes new medical facility

               

Health care delivery in Yikene, a suburb of Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region is said to improve for the better as the community welcomes a new medical centre. 

The 20 bed ultra-modern facility which is meant to bring quality and affordable health care to the doorstep of the community and its immediate environs, has an Out-Patient Department, OPD, 3 Consulting Rooms, a well-equipped medical laboratory, wards for both males, females and children with ancillaries, a dispensary and an administrative block.  

 At an official handing over ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of the facility, Martin Azare said the provision of the new edifice was going to reduce the burden where people, particularly, the aged had to commute long distances to access health care. 

Its existence, he explained was born out of his long cherished dream of giving back to his community, having lived in the community for years.

 Mr Azare who doubles as the proprietor of Premier Lodge said considering the invaluable contribution of the people towards the growth of his hospitality business, it was not out of place to put the facility, which he however stated, was a form of appreciation.

 He showed gratitude to the chiefs and people of the area and expressed the hope that the facility would go a long way in addressing the health needs of the people. 

The CEO disclosed to Radio Ghana that, plans are afoot to equip the centre with state of the art equipment including an ex-ray machine to provide quality and affordable health care. 

Welcoming the facility, a renowned pharmacist and the Chief of Yikene, Naba Aberima thanked Mr Azare for the honour done the community. He observed that the new facility was going to ease the increased pressure on the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, which serves as the region’s main referral hospital. 

Whilst urging the community to own the facility, Naba Aberima further appealed to the CEO to consider job placement for qualified persons in the community. 

 The Bolgatanga District Pastor for the Assemblies of God Redemption Centre, Reverend Kazarus Akaburi led the gathering to dedicate the facility to God. 

He advised staff show love and care to patients entrusted under their care since it was a basic principle in achieving quality healthcare delivery. 

 The inauguration of the centre was done with a free health screening exercise. 

Story by GBC's Isaac Asare

Ghana's Independence Day Celebration in Bolga: Gov’tasked to focus more on Technical and Vocational Education

The Upper East Regional Director of Education, Madam Patricia Ayikor says the theme chosen for this year’s Independence day celebration ‘Ghana beyond Aid’ can only be realized when the country’s educational system focuses more on equipping the citizenry with productive skills through Technical and Vocational Education as well as  training. 

She moreover observed that when  the private sector, which is considered as the engine of growth is encouraged to compliment the effort of government by setting up more technical and vocational centres for the learning needs of the youth, then Ghana is certain to becoming self-sufficient without turning to donors for support. 

Madam Ayikor made the observation at the 61^st Independence Day anniversary held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

 The regional event held at St John’s Park was marked with the regular inspection of parade and march-past by participating schools.  

 Contingents from the various security agencies including cadet corps from selected Senior High Schools, the Police, CEPS, Immigration, Ghana National Fire Service, and personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces were present to spice up the colourful event. 

 The inspection of parade was done by the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, assisted by Madam Ayikor and Lt. Col Darkwah of the Airborne Force in Tamale. 

In a speech read on behalf of President Akufo Addo, the Regional Minister, Mr Bukari emphasised government’s resolve to protecting the public purse and nib all corrupt practices in the bud.

 He said with the office of the special prosecutor in place, public officials should be wary of their actions since they would be held accountable for their stewardship.  

  Mr Bukari moreover assured the public that under the current administration, the Right to Information Act, which is one piece of the anti-corruption framework will be passed into law to reinforce government’s determination to fighting corruption. 

He, however called on Ghanaians to join in the business of nation building whilst supporting government in achieving this worthy cause.

 There were solidarity messages from key personalities that centred on the theme for the celebration. In an interview with Radio Ghana, a retired educationist, Robert Ajeni justified why Independence Day is worth celebrating. 

He identified partisan politics as the bane to Ghana’s backwardness. 

He said it was high time people stop placing political lenses to issues that are of great interest to the nation, bearing in mind that development can only strive when people put their shoulders to the wheel. 

Mr Ajeni further challenged Ghanaians to prioritize education and learn to rally behind governments in power as this will help fast track the execution of their development agenda. 

This year’s Independence Day anniversary was characterised with series of activities such as taekwondo and other spectacular display from selected schools. 

The event was climaxed with a presentation of awards to deserving schools that performed creditably during the march-past. 

The Governor from the Savannah Region of Togo, Esso Pineve was among the few dignitaries that graced today’s occasion. The clergy and other departmental heads were present at the function.

GBC