The Eastern Regional Minister Rita Adjei Awatey, alongside personnel from the Ministry of Defence, have visited the Asuokaw River to assess the danger pupils are exposed to when crossing to school.
In a heroic gesture, one pupil carried one of his younger colleagues across the treacherous Asuokaw river to ensure they both made it safely home after school.
The inspiring act of courage and selflessness has gone viral, attracting attention from government to build a bridge on the river.
The viral video of the pupils on the broken tree which served as a bridge caught the attention of President John Mahama who tweeted about providing solutions.
Following this the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Adjei Awatey and government officials have assessed the situation and made assurances.
“The whole of Ghana has been attracted by the bravery act of the children. Several allied agencies; Ministry of Defence, Gender are ready to support. We are a government that deliver on our promise. we assure the people of Asuokaw that the project would start, and their children would go to school in peace and return home, ” she assured.
The pupils, aged between four and nine, traumatized by a vehicular accident on the main road where the journey to school takes about twenty minutes, resorted to crossing the Asuokaw river to school and back.
The Asuokaw River lies in the Upper West Akyem municipality of the Eastern Region, serving inhabitants’ needs, albeit polluted now.
Recent rains have caused water levels to rise, further threatening the pupils’ safety. Parents and pupils are hopeful that the government’s promises will soon become a reality.
“One of them was knocked by a vehicle, the trauma caused them to use this route. This route is shorter but is has become riskier. I am happy about the assurances to construct a bridge from the President and Regional Minister, our children must be safe accessing education, ” one parent said.
“I pray the bridge is fixed soon, so that, we can go to school safely” Wise, the elderly pupil pleaded.
Sustainable Development Goal 4 enjoins government to ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
