Residents of Bona-Korley Nkwanta in the New Juaben South Municipality of the Eastern Region are living in fear following severe erosion around the base of a telecommunication mast, raising concerns that the structure could collapse if urgent intervention is not undertaken.
According to residents, recent heavy rains have washed away significant portions of soil supporting the mast, leaving deep gullies around its foundation and exposing parts of the structure’s base.
The situation has sparked anxiety among community members, who worry that continued rainfall could further weaken the ground and compromise the mast’s stability.
Residents who spoke to this reporter described the development as a potential disaster waiting to happen, particularly because the mast is located close to homes and areas frequently used by members of the community.
“We are very worried whenever it rains heavily. The erosion is getting worse by the day, and nobody seems to know who owns the mast or who is responsible for maintaining it,” one resident said.
Another resident noted that the deep trenches created by the runoff have expanded considerably over the past few months, leaving the structure standing on what appears to be an increasingly unstable foundation.
The fear among residents is not only about the possibility of the mast collapsing, but also the danger it could pose to lives and property should such an incident occur; hence, they appealed to the Municipal Assembly, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and other relevant agencies to conduct an immediate assessment of the site.
Community members say several attempts to identify the owners of the telecommunication infrastructure have so far proved unsuccessful, making it difficult to channel their concerns to the appropriate authorities.
The inability to determine ownership has further delayed efforts to address the problem, leaving residents uncertain about who bears responsibility for ensuring the mast’s safety.
Residents are therefore calling on telecommunication regulators, service providers, and municipal authorities to work together to identify the owner of the mast and undertake emergency stabilization measures before the onset of more heavy rains.
They argue that swift intervention, including erosion control works and reinforcement of the mast’s foundation, could prevent a potentially catastrophic situation.
As concerns continue to grow, residents insist that proactive action is needed to avert any tragedy, emphasizing that public safety should remain the foremost priority.
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