Construction work is to begin on the ¢4 million Chemu canal linking Chokor in the Ablekuma South and Shiabu in the Ablekuma West constituencies.

The two communities have been separated for more than four decades since a bridge connecting them collapsed.

The result has been decades of decline in economic activity between the two communities and their municipalities generally as well as serious drainage and sanitation problems.

But there’s some good news now. JOYNEWS understands contractors have already moved to the site to begin what will be Phase I.

This will include the construction of the linking bridge as well as a driveway and walkway expected to be completed in nine months.

Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the CEO of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), which is spearheading the project led a team comprising contractors, consultants and journalists to acquaint themselves with the situation at Chemunaa.

On Sunday, an improvised footbridge there collapsed and washed away following a downpour.

He said the construction of a new bridge would have started since the Authority had already awarded the contract, but the COVID-19 outbreak delayed the process.

Mr Shaib said the Authority held two public engagements with the Community, which involved the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, MP for the area, traditional leaders, elected officials and youth groups to solicit their views to build a consensus.

Responding to requests for the construction of a temporary bridge, Mr Shaib asked the residents to use a nearby footbridge in the interim while a permanent one was built.

He called on residents to cooperate with the contractor when the project starts and encouraged the youth to take advantage of income-earning opportunities that would come with the construction works.

Nii Adote Barima II, Chief of Chorkor, expressed happiness over the swiftness with which the CODA responded to the plight of residents since the old footbridge collapsed and expressed confidence that the new one would soon be completed.