New pedestrian footbridge inaugurated at Adum

A seventy-metre footbridge designed to enhance free and safe movement of pedestrians across the railway lines at Adum in Kumasi has been inaugurated.

The footbridge, constructed by High Brains Construction Limited at a cost of GH¢2.2 million, has facilities for people who are physically challenged.

Inaugurating the project, Alhaji Amin Suleimana, the Minister of Roads and Highways, said the major challenge to road network in the country was indiscipline on the side of drivers and other roads users.

Another challenge, he said, was that some drivers washed their vehicles on the shoulders of roads while agencies responsible for regular maintenance of roads failed to live up to expectation.

Alhaji Suleimana underscored the need for the Department of Urban Roads of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA)  and other agencies to ensure regular maintenance of the roads to increase their lifespan.

He said plans  were far advanced for the construction of a similar footbridge at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Junction in Kumasi to enhance the movement  and safety of  pedestrians.

The minister advised drivers against driving under the influence of alcohol, a practice he said contributed to the regular road accidents.

Mr Samuel Yaw Adusei, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, said the footbridge was constructed to ease free movement of pedestrians but not as selling stands for traders.

He, therefore, asked  the authorities to deal with any trader who would use portions of the bridge as selling points.

He called for proper maintenance of the bridge.

By John K. Essel/Daily Graphic/Ghana