In the early hours of Saturday, tragedy struck the community of Awoshie in Accra as a horrific accident took the lives of several individuals.
The incident occurred around 3:45 am at the Banyard intersection, when a passenger vehicle collided with an abandoned truck that was parked in the middle of the road. The impact of the collision resulted in a devastating loss of lives.
The red Toyota Hiace, bearing the registration number GW 6302-21, crashed into a KIA Rhino Truck loaded with bags of sachet water. The truck, with the registration number GB 8896-21, was left unattended due to a mechanical fault, creating a hazard on the road. Eyewitnesses recount the horrifying moment when the driver of the passenger vehicle unintentionally rammed into the stationary truck.
Tragically, all of the deceased were women, excluding the driver and his mate. They were believed to be traveling from Ablekuma to Accra at the time of the accident. The community is in shock and mourning the loss of these innocent lives.
The incident has directed attention to a longstanding issue in Awoshie – the absence of traffic lights and street lights along the main Awoshie Pokuase Highway. The lack of adequate lighting and traffic control has been a persistent concern for the residents, causing dangerous situations for motorists and pedestrians alike.
Frustrated by their ongoing pleas falling on deaf ears, the residents are now urgently calling on the Assembly Member for the Awoshie electoral area, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), and the outgoing Member of Parliament (MP), Honourable Shiela Bartels, to take immediate action. They are demanding the prompt installation of street lights and the restoration of functioning traffic lights along the highway to prevent further tragic accidents.
“For how long will you look on while our people die? The time has come for the good people of Awoshie to come together and stage a mammoth demonstration against those in charge. It is time to hold them accountable,” expressed a frustrated resident.
The incident has brought attention to the need for swift action in addressing the infrastructure challenges faced by the community. The safety and well-being of the residents are at stake, and it is imperative that the authorities respond promptly and prioritize the installation of street lights and the restoration of traffic lights to prevent further loss of life.
Efforts have been made in the past to raise awareness and seek intervention, but the pleas have often been met with disappointment. The recent tragedy has served as a wake-up call for the community, emphasizing the urgency of this issue. Now, the residents of Awoshie are prepared to take matters into their own hands and demand the necessary improvements to ensure the safety of their community.
Authorities are urged to act swiftly, considering the gravity of this tragic accident and the potential for more lives to be lost if the situation remains unaddressed. It is a critical moment for the leaders and representatives of Awoshie to show their commitment to the welfare of the community and take tangible steps towards rectifying the dangerous conditions that have claimed the lives of innocent citizens.
