Presidential convoys symbolize the highest level of security and efficiency in transportation.
However, several alarming accidents have involved these high-profile motorcades over the past years.
Over the weekend, a tragic accident involving President Akufo-Addo’s convoy occurred at Bunso Junction in the Eastern region, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
Earlier this year, the convoy of the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, was involved in a fatal accident at Ohene-Nkwanta near Nobewam, off the Kumasi-Accra highway.
Tragically, one of her bodyguards, Fuseini Mumuni, travelling in one of the convoy vehicles, died on the spot.
The former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, was also involved in an accident on the Techiman highway in the Brong Ahafo region in November 2016.
These separate incidents have once again highlighted concerns about the safety and frequency of accidents involving presidential convoys in the country.
The latest accident is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern that warrants a review of convoy protocols.
Below is a look at 11 major accidents involving presidential convoys
- Nana Akufo-Addo’s convoy
In March 2008, two members of the campaign convoy of Nana Akufo-Addo, the then-New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, were admitted at the Drobo Hospital in the Brong Ahafo region following injuries they sustained after two cars were involved in an accident.
The victims were on their way to join Mr Akufo-Addo at Goaso when the accident occurred at a remote part of the road between Sampa and Drobo.
A few days ago, President Akufo-Addo’s convoy was involved in a fatal accident near Bunso Junction in the Eastern region on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
The president’s convoy was returning from Kumasi after the funeral of the late MP for Ejisu and former deputy finance minister Dr John Kumah.
According to reports, the convoy was crossed by a KIA Rhino truck, resulting in a collision that claimed the life of one Kwesi Atta, a driver in the presidential fleet.
Three soldiers who got injured were rushed to the Suhum Government Hospital Emergency Center for medical treatment.
Several vehicles were wrecked as a result of the accident.
Fortunately, the president had travelled to Accra via military aircraft and was unharmed.
- John Dramani Mahama’s convoy
In the case of former President John Mahama, there have been several accidents.
In August 2015, a Ghanaian Times reporter, Samuel Nuamah, met his untimely death when the Ford bus he was travelling in as part of a presidential convoy was involved in an accident.
About 20 reporters were returning to Accra from Ho, where former President Mahama had attended the annual convention of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church.
According to the police, the vehicle’s left rear tyre burst, and in an attempt to control it, the driver applied the brakes, causing the vehicle to veer off the road.
Barely two months after the August crash, another accident occurred.
In October 2015, 12 journalists in the Western region returning from former President Mahama’s commissioning ceremony of a new community Senior High School were involved in an accident.
One of the vehicles in the president’s convoy was said to have run into the vehicle carrying the pressmen.
The vehicle which bumped into the press corps later rammed into a new radio station – Radio 360.
The accident happened around 7:00 pm on the road between Beahu and Akowen communities in the Western region.
No fatalities were recorded, but some of the journalists sustained varying degrees of injury.
In October 2018, two activists of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who were said to be part of the convoy of former President Mahama, died in a car accident at Ohia Atu, Goaso, in the Brong Ahafo region.
Kwaku Duah, 35, and another person died on the spot after the pickup in which they were travelling together with 13 others somersaulted several times.
They were on their way home after meeting the former president at Goaso. The other passengers got injured.
Fast-forward to May 2023. One of the vehicles in former President Mahama’s convoy, which was travelling towards Yapei in the Savannah region, was involved in an accident at Datoyili near Tamale.
The victims included the Deputy National Communications Officer, Malik Basintali, and TV3’s northern regional correspondent, Christopher Amoako.
They sustained various injuries and were treated at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
According to some eyewitnesses, the vehicle they were onboard crashed with an oncoming car and somersaulted.
A statement later clarified that the occupants of the accident vehicle were the regional team travelling to the Yapei constituency ahead of the JM Campaign Team convoy.
In June 2023, a supporter of the NDC who was travelling with former President Mahama on his campaign at Assin North constituency in the Central region died in a road accident.
In a tweet, Mr Mahama commiserated with the family of the deceased. He also suspended his campaign for two hours to visit injured persons.
- John Agyekum Kufuor’s convoy
The former president has also had his share of accidents.
In November 2000, the convoy carrying the then-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was involved in an accident.
The accident, which occurred around Gomoa Budumburam, claimed three lives.
In November 2007, a man identified as Thomas Osei crashed into the vehicle of former president Kufuor at the Opeibia traffic light intersection in Accra. He was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol, and traces of narcotics were also found in his urine.
In January 2016, the convoy of former President Kufuor was involved in an accident at Mango Down near Patase, a suburb of Kumasi.
Reports say the police dispatch rider leading the convoy to Atasemanso crashed into a biker coming from the opposite direction.
- JJ Rawlings’ convoy
In October 2000, four bodyguards of former President Jerry John Rawlings died on the spot when a driver, using an unapproved route, drove into the Tema Motorway, causing a fatal accident.
The four deceased persons — Corporal Boateng, Corporal Aboagye, Corporal Kumashi and Lance Corporal Ewun Tomah — were in the president’s convoy, which was on their way from Kpong to Accra.
The driver who caused the accident bolted.
Three others who sustained varying degrees of injury were rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for treatment.