Kennedy Nyarko Osei
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently complete the ongoing sections of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, arguing that fast-tracking the existing road project would save lives following the fatal accident at Birimso Bridge that reportedly claimed at least 15 lives.
According to the caucus, the latest tragedy on the country’s busiest highway underscores the need to prioritise the completion of the existing road and its bypasses while work towards the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway continues.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the Minority described the accident as “another painful reminder” of the longstanding safety challenges on the highway.
“The nation cannot continue to accept these recurring tragedies as inevitable,” the statement said.
The caucus extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the multi-vehicle collision and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
It also expressed solidarity with all those affected by the accident.
The Minority appealed to the government to immediately prioritise the completion of all ongoing works on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, including the existing bypasses and other outstanding road projects.
While acknowledging the government’s commitment to construct the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway, the caucus maintained that immediate attention should be given to completing the current highway to improve safety and reduce fatalities.
The statement noted that the government has committed US$1.7 billion for the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway Project, with the funds reportedly held in an escrow account at the Bank of Ghana.
However, the Minority argued that only about US$300 million would be required to complete the existing bypasses and other ongoing works on the current highway.
It said completing the existing road network would provide an immediate solution to the recurring accidents while the longer-term expressway project is being prepared.
“The immediate priority should be to complete the existing highway that can save lives now,” the statement stressed.
The Minority further urged the government to treat the completion of the outstanding highway works as a matter of national urgency, warning that fatal crashes would continue unless critical sections of the road are completed without delay.
The call follows Monday’s devastating crash at Birimso Bridge on the Accra-Kumasi Highway, in which at least 15 people are feared to have died.
By Ernest Kofi Adu