Yunyoo District: How school children risk their lives to swim across river to attend school

Schoolchildren in rural communities, including Tuna No.2 and Salimba in the Yunyoo District of the North East Region, face significant challenges crossing rivers to attend school during the rainy season.

This problem extends beyond just students, affecting health professionals, teachers, and commuters who risk their lives daily to cross the swollen waters and provide services in these areas. Many must carry spare clothes to change into after crossing the rivers before they can continue their work in the communities.

For the schoolchildren, the situation is particularly harsh as their books, uniforms, and learning materials often get soaked while crossing the rivers. Tuna No.2 and Salimba residents have endured these difficulties for many years without government intervention.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Yunyoo-Nasuan, Hon. Bitian Konlan, acknowledged that this is a recurring issue during the rainy season. He explained that preventing floodwaters is challenging due to the extensive areas covered by the water. However, he noted that plans are in place to address the issue. Unfortunately, tipper trucks cannot access the areas during the rainy season, so the work will begin after the rains subside.

“In the meantime, when the rains lessen, we will send machines to the site with gravel to fill the ditches and potholes to make the area more accessible,” the DCE said.

Hon. Konlan highlighted the government’s District Road Improvement Project, initiated by President Nana Addo and the NPP government, as a response to such challenges in rural areas. The project aims to improve road networks at the district and municipal levels across the country.

Mr. Jalil Saidu, a community health worker, explained that providing healthcare services becomes extremely difficult during the rainy season due to poor roads and the absence of mobile communication networks in some areas. He noted that health personnel often leave their motorbikes behind and walk due to the rivers and flooded roads.

Mr. Jalil also emphasized the economic impact of the situation, explaining that schoolchildren, farmers, and service providers are all affected. Farmers are unable to transport their produce to markets, which affects both their livelihoods and the local economy.

Residents of Tuna No.2 and Salimba are urgently calling on the government to address these issues and provide relief to their communities.