By King Amoah
The Ghana Private Road & Transport Union (GPRTU) is urgently appealing to the government to address the escalating number of pedestrian knockdowns on the Kumasi-Sofoline highways, which they describe as a rapidly becoming a “death trap.”
Mr. Julius Caesar Amoah, Vice Chairman of the Kumasi-Sofoline/Ahensan branch (the “Super branch”) of GPRTU, expressed grave concerns about the alarming trend in a recent interview.
He attributed the increasing incidents to the lack of crucial infrastructure, specifically overpass structures that would facilitate safe pedestrian movement across the busy highway.
Chairman Amoah emphasized the high traffic volume on the Sofoline highways, noting that they serve both commercial and private vehicles on short and long journeys. The absence of facilities designed to mitigate pedestrian accidents, coupled with the three separate road track lanes that make crossing extremely dangerous, has created a perilous environment for pedestrians.
The situation is worsening, according to Amoah. He revealed that his outfit recorded a staggering 25 knockdown cases in 2024, a dramatic increase compared to the 5 cases reported in 2023.
He further lamented the absence of essential safety measures such as traffic lights and clearly marked zebra crossings, leaving pedestrians vulnerable and at risk.
Amoah also criticized the performance of the Police task force assigned to the area, accusing them of prioritizing extortion over enforcing road regulations and maintaining order.
This alleged laxity in law enforcement, coupled with what he described as the “lawlessness” of certain drivers who flout road regulations, contributes significantly to the problem.
The National Road Safety Authority was also called out for its perceived failure to effectively arrest and discipline drivers engaging in reckless behavior.
Amoah expressed frustration with the lack of response from the Urban Road Department and the Kwadaso Municipal Assembly, who he claims have been unresponsive to repeated appeals for intervention.
“As managers of the Sofoline lorry terminals, we are yet to give up,” Amoah stated. “We now need bypass structures to help save souls at Sofoline highways.”
He highlighted the vulnerability of specific groups, including school children and nurses, who are frequently victims of these tragic incidents.
The GPRTU is issuing a stark warning: without immediate and decisive government intervention, the Sofoline highways could face closure, disrupting travel for countless people across the country.
They are urging authorities to act swiftly to implement the necessary infrastructure and enforce road safety regulations to prevent further loss of life.
Officials concerned for their reactions were tight lipped, however others attributed the situation to non availability of funds to tackle the those challenges at Sofoline.
The call for overpass construction represents a desperate plea to transform the Sofoline highways from a “death trap” into a safe corridor for all.
