Hon Maxwell Kwame Lukutor
South Tongu

Mr Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to make this Statement on a matter of urgent public and national importance - namely, the deteriorating condition of the Sogakope Bridge and the attendant risks it poses to public safety, economic activity and national security.



Mr Speaker, the Sogakope Bridge is one of Ghana’s most strategic transport infrastructures. It serves as a vital link between the southern and northern corridors of the Volta Region and remains indispensable to the movement of people, goods and services from Togo, Nigeria, Benin, across the region and beyond. Its continued structural integrity is therefore a matter of national interest.



Mr Speaker, somewhere in 2017, there were numerous accidents which resulted in demonstrations and several meetings with the Regional Coordinating Council of the Volta Region. In response to the above, a temporary measure was taken to seal the expansion joints instead of replacing the element.



Mr Speaker, there was also an assurance of the rehabilitation works awarded on contract and was evidenced by site clearing and loading as a sign of commencement of the project but till date nothing has been heard regarding the repair works.



Mr Speaker, in recent months, the attention of my office has been drawn to growing public concern over the worsening condition of the bridge, particularly reports of accidents and near-fatal incidents. In response, and in the discharge of my constitutional duty as a Member of this honourable House, I earlier raised questions on the floor of Parliament regarding the state of the bridge, with specific reference to the condition of the expansion joints, metal railings, pedestrian walkways, and the deterioration of the bituminous surface.



To ascertain the extent of the deterioration and assess the risks involved, I, together with the District Chief Executive for South Tongu, Hon Victoria Dzeklo, undertook a joint technical inspection of the bridge. The inspection team included the Southern Regional Engineer of the Department of Roads and Highways, the District Engineer, and a Technical Officer from the District Town and Country Planning Department.



Mr Speaker, the inspection confirmed that the condition of the bridge is indeed alarming. The expansion joints, which were temporarily sealed with bitumen, since 2017 have deteriorated significantly. The bitumen wears off easily, resulting in deep potholes around the expansion gaps. These defects pose a serious hazard to motorists and have been linked to several accidents on the bridge, some of which have tragically resulted in loss of lives.



Mr Speaker, the inspection further revealed that the pedestrian walkway is in a deplorable state. The metal plates originally installed have deteriorated extensively, with some having been removed entirely. This has left open gaps and exposed, corroded metal components, creating a serious safety risk to pedestrians, including schoolchildren, traders and daily commuters.



Additionally, Mr Speaker, the concrete slabs adjoining the main carriageway have deteriorated badly, further compromising the safety of road users. The metal railings along the bridge are also extensively damaged, increasing the risk of pedestrians falling into the Volta River, particularly during nighttime and periods of heavy traffic.



Mr Speaker, a further matter of grave concern is the malfunctioning of the bridge’s street lighting system. Out of the 28 streetlights installed on the bridge, only seven are currently operational. This inadequate lighting has rendered the bridge unsafe at night and has facilitated criminal activities, including the theft of electrical cables and metal components.



Mr Speaker, following the inspection, the Southern Regional Engineer of the Department of Roads and Highways, Mr Nathaniel, contacted the Director at the Head Office, during which the District Chief Executive and I engaged the Director directly. We were advised to formally submit a letter to initiate the maintenance process, and we were assured that a technical team would be deployed in the coming week to conduct a comprehensive assessment as a precursor to remedial works.



Mr Speaker, while this assurance is welcomed, I wish to stress that the condition of the Sogakope Bridge requires urgent, comprehensive, and sustained intervention. Temporary or palliative measures will no longer suffice. What is required is a full rehabilitation of the expansion joints, pedestrian walkways, concrete slabs, metal railings, and the complete restoration of the street lighting system.



Mr Speaker, beyond structural repairs, I also wish to draw the attention of this honourable House to the need for enhanced security on the bridge. In collaboration with the District Chief Executive, we have proposed the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance systems to provide 24-hour monitoring and to deter vandalism and theft of public infrastructure. The Sogakope Bridge is not only a transport facility but also a national landmark with significant tourism potential. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and beautification will not only enhance safety but also improve its aesthetic appeal and contribute to tourism development in the Volta Region as it has the enviable record of being the longest bridge in Ghana.



Mr Speaker, I therefore respectfully call on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Department of Roads and Highways, and all relevant State institutions to treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves. The lives of Ghanaians must not be imperiled by avoidable infrastructure neglect. I assure this honourable House of my continued commitment, working closely with the District Chief Executive and all relevant stakeholders, to ensure the safety, durability, and long-term maintenance of the Sogakope Bridge for the benefit of present and future generations.

I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.