A section of the Wa-Kumasi Highway at Doli in the Bole District of the Savannah Region has been cut off following a 12-hour downpour on Sunday.
The downpour which started at about 12:00 am caused the Doli Dam to overflow its banks leading to the collapse and washing away of the Doli Bridge which links the Bole-Bamboi District to the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.
It also washed away sections of the N12 highway, the main route which links the southern sector to the north-western part of the country and its neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.
As a result of the situation, vehicles traveling on that corridor got stranded for hours until the new alternative routes were announced by the Highways Authorities.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Times via telephone yesterday, the District Chief Executive for Bole, Ms Veronica Alele Heming, explained that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had earlier visited the site to examine the extent of damage.
She pointed out that Doli was about 25kilometres away from Sawla and was an important route for many travellers.
Ms Heming explained that the regional office of the National Disaster Management Committee was yet to visit the area to ascertain the extent of havoc caused residents living around the river bank and also decide the way forward.
She indicated that the regional minister was briefed and the Ghana Highway Authority was also made aware of the situation for quick remedy.
Meanwhile, a public announcement by the Public Relations Division of the Ghana Highway Authority to the media and transport unions has advised motorists and commuters to use alternative routes whilst the wreckage was fixed.
Commuters from the Upper West Region and neighbouring countries were encouraged to make a diversion at Sawla and use the Sawla-Fufulso road to connect to the Techiman-Kintampo road whereas those from the Bono, Ashanti and other regions in the south were directed to use the Techiman-Kintampo road to join the Sawla-Fufulso road and continue their journey from there.
The Authority assured commuters through the statement that their engineers would expedite action on fixing the road as soon as possible.
FROM LYDIA DARLINGTON FORDJOUR, BOLE
