The Minority Caucus in Parliament has urged the government to urgently complete unfinished sections, bypasses and ongoing works on the Accra-Kumasi Highway following a fatal accident at the Birimso Bridge near Bonsu Junction in the Eastern Region.
The caucus said the crash, which occurred on Monday and claimed three lives while leaving several others injured, highlights persistent safety concerns on one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors.
The accident involved a State Transport Company (STC) bus, a fuel tanker, a Mitsubishi pick-up and a Kia Sorento, renewing calls for urgent measures to improve safety on the highway, which has recorded several fatal crashes over the years.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 4, the Minority expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
It described the incident as another painful reminder of the need for immediate action to address safety challenges on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
“Far too many lives have been lost on this highway, and the nation cannot continue to accept these recurring tragedies as inevitable,” the statement said.
The caucus called on the government to prioritise the completion of unfinished portions of the highway, including bypasses and other outstanding works, to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
While acknowledging the importance of the proposed US$1.7 billion Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project as a long-term solution, the Minority argued that immediate attention must be given to completing the existing highway.
According to the caucus, although funds have reportedly been secured in an escrow account at the Bank of Ghana for the expressway project, about US$300 million could be used to complete outstanding works on the current highway.
“The immediate priority should be to complete the existing highway that can save lives now,” it added.
The Minority further called for accelerated work on the road while preparations for the expressway project continue, warning that delays could result in more avoidable fatalities.