Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, who ordered a temporary closure of the two bridges, made this known in a Citi News interview in Tamale.

He promised that rehabilitation of the two bridges will last for four weeks for which reason users should use alternative roads including that of the Eastern Corridor and the Wa to Techiman routes to the southern part.

He said the temporary rehabilitation is only to allow road users use the bridges within the Christmas festivities, after which the construction of an entirely new bridge will start.

[contextly_sidebar id=”eM5lQ6XG6wEZM08I8l1TknT7Nk5zmJ7S”]”The Yapei bridge is more terrible than that of Buipe, hence the stopgap measure. We cannot afford as a government to see the north cut off from the south, and that is why we have taken this bold steps to save lives.”

Kwasi Amoako Atta said plans are far advanced to replace the two bridges within two years to be funded by the Chinese government.

“The bridges are shaking and vibrating, and government cannot afford to wait until it causes a major disaster, that is why we are compelled painfully, though temporarily to close the bridges. The bridges are over aged, and now death traps to road users. I appeal to transport owners and the road users to bear with us.”

“It is an unpleasant situation, but we cannot afford to lose lives. The bridges link Ghana to other parts of the Sahel, and as a responsible government, we cannot afford to allow any major disaster to occur on the bridges.”

The Minister added that, construction of the Daboya bridge along that of Buipe and Yapei, will begin in 2018. He said each of the three new bridges is estimated at 25 million US dollars each.

He commended the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for being instrumental in attempts to put in good shape the deplorable road network in the three regions of the north.

The Minister is on a working visit to the Northern Region with one of his Deputies, Anthony Abaryifa Karbo, and the Ministry’s Chief Engineer as well as other senior staff.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Buipe, Yapei bridges rehabilitation to cost GHc4m appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This comes after some residents raised concerns over their safety, especially that of their children who cross the road on daily basis to and from school.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fUtK02X07ndB0IGG5D2I2OXLTs6BUUBD”]The residents after receiving information of the planned commissioning on Wednesday night, expressed their disappointment and frustration that safety measures have not been adequately put in place.

No speed ramps, no street lights

There were no speed ramps, no streetlights, no reflectors and no pedestrian footbridge at the intercession to guarantee the safety of the residents in the area who cross to either side of the road daily.

Road contract

The contract, which was fully funded by the Government of Ghana, was first awarded to a Chinese Construction company, CWE- China International Water and Electricity in 2008 for GHC 150 million, to be completed in 3 years. But after 10 years, the project is only 70 per cent complete.

The contract sum is expected to rise due to the delay.

Impressive work

The Minister, upon arrival, said he was happy with the extent of work done so far by the contractor, and commended the efforts of the engineers. However, after consultation with his Deputy Minister, the Director of Highways, the Suhum Municipal Chief Executive and the Police Commander, the Minister cancelled the commissioning, stating that other necessary safety measures must be put in place to protect human lives before the road can be duly open to commuters.

Commissioning deferred 

“We have assessed the road critically, and we have come to the conclusion that we need to put in place other things to ensure total and maximum safety. We do not want to rush and commission it once our attention has been drawn to some lapses. We do not want to experience any fatalities and accidents after commissioning it,” Mr. Amoako Attah said.

He assured residents that the necessary safety measures will be put in place to ensure their maximum safety within the next two weeks, after which it will be commissioned.

“I have asked the engineers and contractors to put in place all the necessary safety measures to ensure maximum and optimum safety of residents. From the technical point of view, everything is set, but there is no need to rush in commission it because up ahead, there are schools there, and we do not want to put the lives of the pupils who cross the road at risk, and it is for this reason we want to put in place all the necessary safety measures to avoid possible disasters,” he said.

Some residents who heard the news about the cancellation and postponement of the overpass commissioning, expressed their excitement with the decision, as they believe the opening of the overpass to traffic without the construction of foot bridges and speed ramps would increase accidents in the municipality.

Journalists’ long wait

Meanwhile, journalists and engineers were held for hours at the site of the expected commissioning, as they had to wait for the Minister and his team to arrive.

Although some arrived around 5:00pm to report on the commissioning, they had to wait for the Minister till at about 9:30pm, when he finally arrived to inspect the project.

It is unclear what kind of briefing was giving to the Minister on the project before he traveled from Accra.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Night commissioning of Suhum overpass cancelled over safety issues appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is to allow for the construction of a bailey bridge to replace the collapsed concrete bridge on the section of the road between Tinkong and Nyamebekyere.

He gave the order after he visited the collapsed bridge.

Vehicles travelling from Accra to Koforidua would now have to use alternative routes – Nsawam-Suhum-Koforidua and the Adukrom-Nkurakan-Koforidua.

Mr. Amoako-Atta said the bailey bridge, would enable vehicles and other road users to travel on the road as engineers worked to fix the collapsed bridge.

He directed officials of his ministry to ensure that there was adequate publicity of the road closure.

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Source: GNA

The post Minister orders closure of Koforidua-Mamfe road appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Pearl Amoah is described by the University as an accomplished designer who started as a model travelling all over the world and working with top brands like Prada, Gucci, and Roberto Cavalli.

Andrew Ackah is the MD of Premier Media Company and GM of MediaCom Ghana worldwide. His desire to influence marketing across the globe is what has brought him this far.

The two join Anita Erskine, Derrydean Dadzie, Opy O Nas, who were already ambassadors of the  “Your dreams are within reach” campaign, which  seeks to inspire young West Africans to dream and actively pursue their dreams.

The dream ambassadors’ series presents the lives, experiences and successes of West African personalities.

The University posts videos of the ambassadors talking about where they started, how far they have come, and the highs and lows along the way.

Webster University has also announced plans for a  “DREAMS” workshop later in 2014.

The workshop will be open to the public, and will be tailored to teach participants how to form an action plan around their goals and execute that plan.

Webster University offers a unique option for the West Africans to earn their American undergraduate and graduate degrees from the comfort of their home continent.

The University also  provides an international premium education at a local cost, ensuring that students receive a high quality education in a manner that is convenient for them.

Scholarships and per semester payment plans open up the opportunity of higher education to a larger demographic of Africans.

The Ghana Campus, one of the eight campuses in Webster’s international networks, was the first in Africa when it was established in 2013.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Webster University picks two new dream ambassadors appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.