GHA closes portions of Atebubu-Kumasi highway as White Volta cuts-off communities

The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has closed the Prang-Atebubu stretch of the Atebubu-Kumasi Highway in the Bono East Region to traffic, as the white Volta submerged the Nyomoase Bridge on the highway.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) gathered that several communities along the stretch had been cut off due to the flood, slowing down the movement of the residents and their economic activities. No casualty, has however, been reported.

Mr Emmanuel Okanklu, the Bono East Regional Director of the GHA who confirmed the closure told the GNA that the authority had taken proactive measures and diverted the road to facilitate vehicular movement, traders and motorists.

“The river submerged the Nyomoase bridge and portions of the road connecting communities and thereby making vehicular movement difficult,” he stated, saying visibility on the road remained poorer for drivers and motorists.

In the interim, Mr Okanklu said a cofferdam had been constructed to contain the water on the highway and to create space for commuters, as it put up efforts to remedy the situation.

“We on standby, ready to fix the road as soon as the water levels go down,” he said, and called on the affected communities, drivers and passengers to remain calm.

Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyan, the Bono East Regional Minister had since visited the scene, assuring the affected communities that the situation would be fixed as soon as possible.

Describing the Atebubu-Kumasi highway as a valuable asset, the Regional Minister said the government would ensure that the highway was well maintained, and advised drivers to remain cautious saying security operatives would soon be deployed for enhanced security on the highway.