The Minority Caucus in Parliament has urged the government to immediately prioritise the completion of ongoing works on the Accra-Kumasi Highway following the deadly multi-vehicle collision at the Birimso Bridge that has left at least 15 people feared dead.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 4, the Caucus expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extended condolences to the families of the victims, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
“On behalf of the Minority Caucus, we extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We also sympathise with those who sustained injuries and wish them a speedy and full recovery,” the statement read.
The statement, signed by the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, described the crash as another painful reminder of the urgent need to tackle the persistent safety challenges on the country’s busiest highway.
“This unfortunate incident is yet another painful reminder of the urgent need to address the longstanding 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 Minority noted that while the government has committed US$1.7 billion to the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project, with the funds reportedly held in an escrow account at the Bank of Ghana, about US$300 million would be enough to complete the bypasses and ongoing works on the existing highway.
“We note that Government has committed US$1.7 billion for the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project, with these funds set aside in an escrow account at the Bank of Ghana. However, approximately US$300 million would be sufficient to complete the existing bypasses and ongoing works on the existing Accra-Kumasi Highway,” the statement indicated.
While supporting the long-term expressway project, the Caucus stressed that completing the current highway should be the immediate priority to save lives.
“As fatal crashes continue to occur on this critical corridor, expediting these outstanding works should be treated as a matter of national urgency while preparations for the expressway continue,” the statement added.
The latest crash at Birimso Bridge has renewed calls for urgent action to improve safety on the accident-prone Accra-Kumasi Highway, as emergency responders continue rescue and recovery efforts at the scene.
