On February 10th 2025, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, visited Asuokaw in the Upper West Akim Municipality following a viral video of two students dangerously crossing a river on a fallen tree to school. The visit, directed by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, aimed to assess the situation and find immediate solutions to ensure the safety of residents, especially schoolchildren.
Hon. Awatey interacting with the affected students and community members, acknowledged their struggles and assuring them of the government’s commitment to addressing the issue in earnest. She emphasized that the government is “deeply concerned about the safety of the people” and assured residents that immediate steps would be taken to construct a safer walkover on the river.
She was accompanied by a team from the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, along with the Members of Parliament for Upper West Akim, Hon. Emmanuel Drah, and Lower West Akim, Hon. Owen Kwame Frimpong.
Hon. Awatey reiterated that the government “is not just here to observe but to act,” stressing that all necessary resources would be mobilized to provide a lasting solution.
The residents expressed their concerns about the dangers posed by the river, especially during the rainy season, and welcomed the visit with optimism that swift action would be taken to construct a bridge and improve accessibility and safety.
This intervention is expected to bring a permanent solution to the long-standing challenge, ensuring safe and convenient movement for residents of Asuokaw and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, the government has deployed personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces to assess the situation and provide technical support.