The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently complete unfinished bypasses and ongoing works on the Accra-Kumasi Highway following Monday’s fatal crash at the Birimso Bridge near Bonsu Junction in the Eastern Region.
The caucus said the accident, which claimed three lives and left several others injured, highlights the urgent need to address persistent safety concerns on one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors.
The crash involved a State Transport Company (STC) bus, a fuel tanker, a Mitsubishi pick-up and a Kia Sorento, renewing concerns about the condition of the highway, which has recorded several fatal accidents in recent 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.
The caucus described the incident as another painful reminder that the safety challenges on the Accra-Kumasi Highway require immediate intervention.
“Far too many lives have been lost on this highway, and the nation cannot continue to accept these recurring tragedies as inevitable,” it stated.
The Minority is therefore urging the government to prioritise the completion of unfinished sections of the highway, including bypasses and other outstanding works, to improve safety and reduce accidents.
According to the caucus, while the proposed US$1.7 billion Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project is an important long-term intervention, immediate attention must be given to completing the existing highway.
It said although funds have reportedly been secured in an escrow account at the Bank of Ghana for the expressway project, an estimated US$300 million would be enough to complete the outstanding works on the current highway.
“The immediate priority should be to complete the existing highway that can save lives now,” the statement added.
The Minority further called for accelerated work on the existing road while preparations for the expressway continue, warning that delays could lead to more avoidable deaths.
