Illuminate our highways to save lives — Judge appeals

Mrs. Sedinam Awo Kwadam, a Circuit Court Judge, has urged the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), and other stakeholders to ensure that all highways are lighted.

“Put on all streetlights on our highways, those that are defective should be repaired… The situation is scarier when we drive in the night because there are no lights and these places as so dark.

“We pay for streetlights when electricity bills are given to us, yet there are no lights on our highways. We beg you, put on the lights to save lives on our roads,” she said.

Mrs Kwadam made the appeal when one Colbert Nii Ayitey Tagoe was put before her court on charges of careless and inconsiderate driving and negligently causing harm.

She said that because some pedestrians do not wear bright clothing, some motorists are unable to see them, and that the number of accidents and fatal cases in court was increasing.

Tagoe pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC50,000 with two sureties.

The accused, a driver, reportedly hit and killed a female adult, Cynthia Dede Tettey, with his Mercedes Benz saloon car, registration number GN 3060-11.

The incident occurred on April 10, 2021, about 1730 hours, at Madina Redco Junction, a few meters from the footbridge, which was under construction.

The prosecution, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Patience Mario, said that on April 10, 2021, at around 1730 hours, Tagoe drove his Mercedes Benz saloon car with registration number GN 3060-11 from Adenta to Madina Zongo Junction on the Adenta-Madina main road in the middle lane.

When Tagoe reached a section of the road near Redco Junction, a few meters from the overhead bridge, he knocked down Tetteh, 40, who was crossing from the driver’s right to the left.

The prosecution said Tetteh sustained injuries and was rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where she was admitted for treatment but died on April 13, 2021.

The court was told that Tetteh’s body was sent to the morgue for preservation and autopsy.

A report was filed with the police, who also inspected the accident scene, and a case docket was forwarded to the Attorney General for review and advice.

The matter has been adjourned to October 16, 2024