Daboya Bridge: After Years of River Tragedies, Why Is There Still No Bridge?

DABOYA-MANKARIGU — Every day, people in Daboya face a choice that should not have to be made in 2026: cross the White Volta by canoe or risk missing out on the activities that sustain their daily lives.

For traders, farmers, students, teachers, nurses and other residents, the river is not simply a geographical feature. It is part of their daily route.

And yet, there is still no bridge.

The issue has persisted for years, while concerns over the safety of the crossing continue.

The latest reported canoe incident occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 7:00 p.m., when a canoe reportedly capsized on the White Volta at Daboya.

Although the incident did not reportedly result in another fatality, it brought an old concern back into focus.

How long can residents continue depending on canoes to cross the river?

The Danger Did Not Start This Year

The concerns surrounding the Daboya crossing have a long history.

Accounts cited in previous reports and community discussions indicate that six people drowned in 2014.

In 2016, three teenagers reportedly lost their lives, while another three deaths were reported in 2017.

Then, in October 2025, two paddlers, Razack Simon and Simon Abdul Razak, reportedly died after their canoes capsized while returning to Daboya.

The latest reported incident in August 2026 has once again highlighted the risks associated with the crossing.

These figures and individual incidents should be verified against official records, but the recurring reports point to a longstanding concern among residents.

A Bridge Has Been On The Conversation For Years

The demand for a bridge at Daboya is not new.

A bridge was reportedly announced in 2017, raising hopes that the dangerous dependence on canoes would eventually come to an end.

But almost a decade later, residents are still using the river crossing.

That naturally raises questions.

What happened to the bridge proposal?

Was funding secured?

Was a contractor selected?

Was construction started?

If not, what caused the delay?

And what is the current plan?

These are questions that require clear answers from the relevant authorities.

“We Don't Have Any Other Option”

Perhaps the most revealing description of the situation comes from the people who actually use the crossing.

A trader quoted in discussions about the situation said:

“We know the lives are threatened, but we don't have any other option.”

That sentence captures the dilemma.

People may understand the danger, but they still need to work.

Farmers need to transport produce.

Traders need to reach markets.

Students need to attend school.

Patients need access to healthcare.

Families need to move between communities.

For many residents, simply avoiding the river is not a realistic option.

The Question That Needs An Answer

The issue is therefore bigger than the latest canoe incident.

It is about whether a community that has depended on a dangerous river crossing for years should continue to do so indefinitely.

The relevant authorities have an opportunity to provide clarity on the status of the Daboya Bridge and explain what steps, if any, are being taken to address the situation.

Until then, the question remains:

After years of reported river tragedies, why is there still no bridge at Daboya?

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OPINION: DABOYA BRIDGE NOW

The following section is an advocacy position and is separate from the news report above.

At some point, repeated warnings must lead to action.

The people of Daboya-Mankarigu should not have to wait for another fatal canoe accident before the bridge question receives serious attention.

This should not be an NPP-versus-NDC argument.

Governments change.

Political parties compete.

But the people of Daboya remain.

And they still need to cross the White Volta.

We Need Answers, Not Another Promise

The Member of Parliament, District Chief Executive, traditional authorities, regional authorities and relevant government agencies should provide the public with a clear update on the Daboya Bridge.

The questions are straightforward:

What is the current status of the project?

Has funding been secured?

Has a contractor been selected?

What is the expected timeline?

If the project has stalled, why?

And while residents wait for a permanent crossing:

What immediate safety measures can be introduced for canoe users?

The people deserve specific answers.

This Must Become A Community Demand

The responsibility should not rest entirely on politicians.

Residents, chiefs, youth groups, community organisations, civil society and the media can all keep the issue alive.

The demand should be peaceful, organised and non-partisan.

Not because one political party deserves credit.

Not because another political party deserves blame.

But because human lives are involved.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

If you are from Daboya-Mankarigu, share this story.

If you have crossed the White Volta by canoe, tell us about your experience.

If you are a resident, ask your representatives for answers.

If you are a community leader, raise the issue publicly.

If you are a journalist, keep asking the questions.

And if you believe Daboya deserves a safe and permanent crossing, tag the relevant authorities and demand clarity on the way forward.

DABOYA BRIDGE NOW.

Because the question is no longer simply whether Daboya needs a bridge.

The question is: after all these years, why is the bridge still not there?

#DaboyaBridgeNow
#SaveOurPeople
#DaboyaMankarigu
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