The Historic London Bridge Of Cape Coast Is No More

J.W. Dadson, Cape Coast,

Accra - Over The past few weeks, there have been the shrill cries of the people of Cape Coast, especially those resident within the vicinity of the historic "London Bridge," over the demolition of the bridge without any public announcement.

The once popular bridge (culvert) built in 1905 by the British Government and the first in the then Gold Coast, and which became a popular tourist attraction on its own merit, apart from the forts and castles, is gone forever.

The bridge served as a bond of good relationship between the people resident in and around the area and the British embassy to the extent that each year, especially getting to the Ogua Fetu Afahye festival, the embassy, in close collaboration with the residents, contributed towards its beautification.

The popularity and impact the bridge carried on the township, easily guaranteed by its central position, served as a barometer for measuring social activities in the township, usually described as 'a town of beautiful nonsense."

It is usually known and accepted that when the last man at the London Bridge sleeps, then one is assured that the whole of Cape Coast is asleep.

The area, with its accolade, had grown from strength to strength such that the youth have their own chief, Nana Opoku, who at every Fetu Afahye festival, is dressed gorgeously and paraded through the principal streets of the town, followed by a large retinue of youths to make fun.

However, the Urban III project currently going on in the municipality has given a devastating blow to the bridge and in its place a new one is being constructed.

The worry of the people is that the bridge was not totally bad and, therefore, did not pose any threat or danger and that a touch of renovation could have been undertaken without destroying the status quo.

More importantly, the people argue that if anything at all, the British Embassy could have been invited to help carry out some rehabilitation work on the bridge, as it was done to the old British governor's residence at the popular government gardens, near the Chapel Square.

While majority of the residents are criticising the entire demolition of the almost 95 year-old historic bridge to make room for a new one, others are of the opinion that the bridge was too weak to withstand the present day heavy-duty vehicular movements.

Whatever it is, the bridge has been demolished and a new one is being constructed in its place and since its name will not be altered, it will still attract tourists as before.

This is because the country is moving forward and all old things must give way to new ones in development and progress.

Despite the hue and cry, work on the bridge and the widening of other gutters in the municipality are being carried out by the contractors, Messrs Unuessco Construction Ltd., from Accra.