Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is taking steps to address a long-standing cultural and infrastructural challenge that has prevented schoolgirls in communities across the Offin River from attending school every Tuesday.
This follows a recent Multimedia report revealing that girls living in settler communities behind the Offin River are barred from crossing the water on Tuesdays due to traditional norms, forcing them to miss classes at Kyekyewere in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality.
In response, the Vice President has dispatched a fact-finding team led by her political advisor and Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, to assess the situation and initiate processes toward constructing a steel bridge over the Adwekwa Amaniampong (Offin) River.
Speaking on behalf of the Kyekyewere Chief, Nana Kwame Nipa, the Krontihene, Nana Agyekum Ntiamoah II, recounted the difficulties residents face because of the cultural prohibition and the absence of a bridge.
He noted that aside from disrupting education, the situation poses serious health risks, as pregnant women struggle to access health facilities due to dependence on unsafe wooden canoes.
The chiefs warmly welcomed the Vice President’s delegation and performed traditional rites, praying for support to secure the needed funds for the bridge. The team also visited Kyekyewere Senior High School, where they distributed sanitary pads to students and pledged additional supplies.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo reaffirmed the Vice President’s commitment to promoting the welfare of girls and women. He assured the chiefs that government is determined to build the steel bridge and, in the interim, will provide safer fibre canoes with outboard motors to enhance transportation.
The Paramount Chief of the Denkyira Traditional Area, Odeefuo Boa Amponsem IV, praised the government and the Vice President for their intervention. He pledged the traditional council’s full cooperation when construction begins.
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