Following recent heavy rains in the Upper East Region, several communities in Vea in the Bongo District have been cutoff from the District capital and the Regional capital, Bolgatanga compelling people in Gowrie, Vea, Balungu, Nyariga and other adjourning communities to utilize the services of Canoe operators to cross to either side of the dam.
The construction of the Vea dam started in 1965 and completed in 1980. The dam covers an area of about 1197 hectares. The completion of the Yarigatanga River fed dam brought relief to farmers in the Upper East Region who yearned for dry season farming. Aside the irrigation project, the Vea Dam supplies water to many parts of the Region.
The appeal by residents for government to construct a bridge have not yielded any positive results as successive governments continue to ignore their plight for the past five decades.
The Upper East Region has witnessed torrential rains in August and September this year, thereby giving rise to another crisis as residents, teachers, and health workers are all forced to part with between Ghc1 and Hhc10 to cross with their motor bikes.
An individual without a bicycle or motorbike is required to pay Ghc1 while those with bicycles pay Ghc3 anytime they want to cross. Persons who wish to cross the calm waters with motorbikes pay between Ghc5 and Ghc10 depending on the type of motorbike.
According to some of the residents who spoke to dreamzfmonline.com, they feel neglected by successive governments as they recount the enormous impact the construction of a bridge will have on their lives.
A Resident, Apatabire Isaac decried the inability of government to address the annual problem.
“It is difficult for people living in these areas, imagine having to pay on your way out and on your way in. We have teachers and nurses who need to cross to their respective work places. So looking at the situation how do you question a Teacher or Nurse who fails to go to work? Unfortunately, governments over the years have neglected us and have continuously paid lip service to our concerns,” he noted.
A Young Man in his early 20s who gave his name as Samuel Anarfo had fear written all over his face as he performed the sign of the cross after safely crossing to the Gowrie end of the spill way. For him, using the canoe comes with fear especially when they are many on a canoe.
“If I had my way, I will stop using this place but I have no other option. I am usually terrified until I cross safely. This place is disturbing and I’m hoping that government will construct a bridge to make crossing very easy for us”.
Despite cashing in on the disturbing spectacle, canoe operators are equally calling on government to end the decades of suffering by constructing a bridge that will help people cross conveniently.
