A dangerous river which has claimed many lives is to benefit from a foot bridge being constructed by the Birim North District Assembly. The River Pra, in Abodom, a rural community in the district, often overflows its banks during the rainy season and cuts off the people from nearby communities.

Recently, seven people including two women with their babies strapped to their backs drowned in the River while crossing it. Members of the community said for over 20 years, several complaints made by the community leaders to the District Assembly for help fell on deaf ears.

Mr Paul Aboagye, the District Chief Executive (DCE), said before he assumed office in 2013, engineers had already visited the site and were taking measures to construct the bridge. Mr Aboagye said the Bridge Section of the GHA had pledged to start the construction of the bridge before the end of this year.

“We are seriously in contact with them to ensure the bridge is done as soon as possible to make life a little comfortable for the people there.” Pieces of plywood which were placed on the “risky” rocks in the River to enable people to cross to the other side of the river have been swept away by the current.

The GNA gathered that for about a month now pupils have been unable to cross to their schools at Abodom and farmers cannot go to their farms.