Accra, Ghana — Calls for greater accountability are growing as concerns mount over the rising death toll on the Accra–Kumasi highway, which has been labeled a “death trap” by critics of the current administration. Yaw Opoku Mensah, spokesperson for Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has placed direct blame for the hazardous conditions on President John Dramani Mahama, asserting that government negligence has been a significant factor in the ongoing crisis.
Opoku Mensah argued that the lack of focus on road safety compromises not only infrastructure but also the welfare of drivers and passengers alike. “The government must take responsibility for not prioritizing road safety, which is fundamentally tied to constructing and maintaining quality roads,” he stated.
He criticized the abandonment of several bypass projects initially underway during the previous government, emphasizing that their halt has transformed travel on the Kumasi–Accra corridor into a perilous affair. “If this administration fails to see the urgency in completing these projects, one might wonder if they are indifferent to the constant loss of life on our roads,” he remarked.
Statistics from the National Road Safety Authority indicate a troubling trend: Ghana recorded nearly 3,000 road fatalities in 2025 alone, alongside thousands more injuries resulting from over 14,700 crashes. The Accra–Kumasi stretch continues to be implicated in a significant portion of these incidents.
Provisional data from early 2026 shows that this perilous trend persists, as numerous accidents have led to fatalities and serious injuries already this year. Opoku Mensah stressed that these incidents are not merely unfortunate occurrences but rather preventable tragedies linked to unfinished infrastructure projects and insufficient safety measures.
“The loss of any life on that highway reflects a failure of government,” he said. “Completing the bypasses could save many lives.” He highlighted the importance of viewing governance as a continuous process, urging the current administration to build upon the infrastructure initiatives set in motion by their predecessors.
Opoku Mensah called for public engagement, urging citizens and civil society organizations to rise in unison and press the government to fulfill its obligations towards road safety. “Ensuring safer roads is a collective responsibility, and immediate action is essential to prevent further tragedies,” he asserted.
As awareness of the issue grows, many hope that the government will take swift action to address the concerns raised and improve road safety for all users.