The Minority Caucus of Parliament has called for immediate measures to improve road safety following a fatal accident on the Accra Kumasi Highway at the Birimso Bridge, where at least 15 people are feared dead. The caucus expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended its sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the multi-vehicle collision that occurred on the major highway.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the Minority emphasised that the incident represents another painful loss of lives on one of the country’s busiest transport routes. The parliamentary group noted that the repeated crashes recorded on the highway require urgent interventions to prevent further tragedies and protect motorists who depend on the route daily.
According to the caucus, the nation must move beyond responding to accidents after they occur and prioritise practical steps that address the challenges contributing to road fatalities. The Minority highlighted that the Accra Kumasi Highway continues to experience safety difficulties, making it necessary for authorities to accelerate measures that will improve conditions along the corridor.
“The country cannot continue to accept these recurring tragedies as inevitable,” the caucus emphasised while calling for stronger commitment towards completing important road projects linked to safety improvement.
Meanwhile, the group conveyed its support to injured victims receiving treatment and wished them recovery following the devastating collision. The statement also acknowledged the emotional burden placed on families affected by the accident and encouraged authorities to provide the necessary support during the difficult period.
Furthermore, the Minority argued that completing ongoing sections of the highway would contribute significantly to reducing risks faced by passengers and commercial drivers who use the road. The caucus believes that unfinished sections of the route, including bypass projects, require attention to improve traffic movement and reduce conditions that may contribute to serious accidents.
Addressing the wider challenge of road safety, the parliamentary group urged the government to treat improvements on the Accra Kumasi Highway as a national priority due to the importance of the route to transportation and economic activities. The call follows renewed public discussions about the safety of major highways after the Birimso Bridge accident, which has added to concerns over frequent road crashes across the country.
Road safety experts have often linked highway accidents to several factors including road conditions, driver behaviour and enforcement challenges, making coordinated interventions necessary. The Minority believes that stronger action on existing road projects would provide immediate benefits while long term transportation plans continue to develop.
The caucus also urged stakeholders responsible for road management to ensure that measures designed to protect road users receive the attention required to prevent similar incidents in the future. Through its response to the accident, the Minority has placed emphasis on improving road infrastructure and ensuring that avoidable deaths on major highways are reduced through timely interventions.
Highway Projects Require Swift Completion To Save Lives
The Minority Caucus of Parliament also called for the completion of ongoing works on the Accra Kumasi Highway, arguing that immediate attention to existing projects will help improve safety while long term road plans are being developed.
The caucus explained that although the proposed Accra Kumasi Expressway remains an important infrastructure project, completing unfinished sections of the current highway should receive urgent consideration.
In its statement on the Birimso Bridge accident, the Minority noted that the government has committed US$1.7 billion towards the expressway project, with the funds secured in an escrow account at the Bank of Ghana. However, the opposition argued that a smaller allocation could address critical unfinished works on the existing route and provide immediate relief for road users who continue to travel on the corridor.
According to the Minority, about US$300 million would be sufficient to complete ongoing bypasses and other outstanding sections of the Accra Kumasi Highway. The caucus emphasised that while future transport developments remain necessary, current safety challenges require solutions that can deliver direct improvements within a shorter period.
“The immediate priority should be to complete the existing highway that can save lives now,” the Minority stated while outlining its position on the balance between current needs and future infrastructure ambitions.
Furthermore, the parliamentary group explained that the Accra-Kumasi corridor is a vital connection for movement of people, goods and services between major parts of the country. The emphasis placed on completing existing projects follows repeated accidents recorded along the route, which have increased calls for improved road conditions and stronger safety measures.
The Minority believes that unfinished bypasses and related works have the potential to ease pressure on sections of the highway that experience heavy traffic and expose motorists to risks. Meanwhile, the caucus maintained that preparations for the expressway project can continue alongside efforts to complete the current highway infrastructure.
The group argued that both approaches can support national development, with the immediate completion of ongoing works addressing present challenges while the larger expressway project progresses.
Additionally, the Minority called for a coordinated approach involving government agencies responsible for roads, transportation and infrastructure planning to ensure that resources are directed towards projects with urgent public benefits.
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