By Christian Ahodie Yaw
A new steel bridge being constructed across the River Dayi at GBI -wegbe in the Hohoe area is steadily taking shape, offering renewed hope to thousands of residents, traders, farmers and motorists who have endured months of transportation difficulties following the collapse of the previous bridge.
The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, has inspected progress of work on the bridge together with the Member of Parliament for Hohoe, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive and other regional officials, urging the contractors to expedite construction to restore smooth movement along the important corridor.
The project, which is currently about 60 percent complete, is expected to reconnect communities along the Alavanyo–Gbi wegbe–Kpando Hohoe corridor and improve the movement of people and goods across the area.
The collapse of the former bridge severely disrupted transportation, leaving motorists unable to cross freely and forcing commuters and traders to find difficult alternative ways to move between the two sides of the river.
Residents and traders have had to endure the painful reality of vehicles stopping on one side while goods are manually transferred across the river or transported by motorbikes and other means to the opposite side.
For farmers, the disruption has been particularly difficult, as produce harvested from communities on one side of the river must still reach major markets and trading centres.
The completion of the new steel bridge is therefore expected to bring significant relief, allowing vehicles, traders, farmers and other commuters to move freely once again.
During the inspection, the Regional Minister engaged the Chinese contractors working on the project and impressed upon them the need to maintain the quality of work while accelerating construction so that the bridge can be completed as soon as possible.
The project has consequently become more than just a construction exercise for residents—it represents a vital link to livelihoods, education, healthcare, commerce and social interaction between communities.
For residents who have watched their daily activities become increasingly difficult since the collapse of the old bridge, the emerging steel structure is a visible sign that normalcy could soon return.
The Minister also used the occasion to address residents affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding in the Volta Region, particularly those in the Hohoe Municipality whose homes and properties have been submerged.
He expressed sympathy to the affected residents and assured them that government would continue to pay attention to their plight and support efforts to address the impact of the disaster.
As construction of the Gbi wegbe steel bridge progresses, residents are keeping their hopes high that the project will be completed soon and restore the vital connection that has for years supported movement and economic activity in the area.
For communities separated by the River Dayi, the bridge is not simply steel and concrete—it is a lifeline to livelihoods, markets, opportunities and a more connected future.