Open letter to President – Safety concerns on the Accra-Tema Motorway

I write with deep concern as a citizen using the Accra-Tema Motorway daily.

The Accra-Tema Motorway, a vital conduit for economic and social activities, stands as a symbol of our nation’s growth and connectivity, but with a series of safety concerns that have plagued this critical infrastructure and, by extension, the lives of the citizens it serves:

• Potholes/traffic congestion: The Accra-Tema Motorway is marred by colossal potholes, leading to traffic gridlocks, particularly on weekdays.

These craters not only cause damage to vehicles but also hinder the smooth flow of traffic.

Immediate resurfacing and repair are essential to alleviate this daily nightmare.

• Darkness /street light levy: The absence of streetlights along the motorway poses grave hazards, especially given the treacherous potholes that dot its surface.

Tragically, on September 2, 2023, a truck collided with the tollbooth due to darkness and the lack of essential safety signs, during a heavy downpour, highlighting the dire situation.

It is disheartening that ordinary Ghanaians pay a streetlight levy of three per cent to the government in accordance with the Energy Sector Levy Act, 2017(Act 946) while enduring this dangerous obscurity.

• Unlawful U-turns: A dangerous trend of unlawful U-turns persists, often involving the Police Service and some government vehicles with green number plates.

These risky manoeuvres take place dangerously close to the “abattoir bus stop” endangering the lives of road users and highlighting the urgent need for enforcement and regulation.

•  Tricycles (“Abobo Yaa”): Despite the passage of a by-law by the Greater Accra Regional Ministry, tricycles, popularly known as “Abobo Yaa” continue to operate on the motorway.

This blatant violation of established regulations endangers both tricycle operators and other road users.

5. Neglected barriers: After vehicles collide with barriers on the motorway, there is often a glaring lack of prompt action to repair or replace them.

This oversight not only jeopardises road safety but also raises questions about our commitment to citizen well-being.

• Overloaded/reckless driving: Overloaded trucks, bound for neighbouring countries, such as Burkina Faso, often park on the motorway shoulders.

When they eventually move, they do so without adequate caution, particularly concerning axle loads.

Furthermore, reckless driving and haphazard parking by trotro drivers contribute to dangerous conditions on the motorway.

With deep concern, I must assert that the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Road Safety Commission have not demonstrated adequate dedication to addressing these pressing safety concerns.

The people of Ghana deserve road infrastructure that is safe, reliable and conducive to their well-being.

I earnestly implore you to utilise your esteemed office to direct the relevant authorities to take immediate, comprehensive measures to rectify these alarming issues on the Accra-Tema Motorway.

Our citizens, who contribute their hard-earned resources through the streetlight levy, deserve to traverse these routes safely.

Your leadership has already brought about transformative change in our nation.

I am confident that your intervention will usher in the necessary changes to enhance road safety and restore the Accra-Tema Motorway to its rightful status as a secure passage of progress.

Kobina Ofosu Nketia,
Health, Safety & Environmental Advisor,
De Simone Limited.