Driver who slammed Kufuor's car identified

THE PRESIDENT IS FINE!! But his accident follows Akufo-Addo's in the morning and Alan's at the weekend

President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday escaped unhurt from a road accident on his way to his office at the Castle, Osu.

His armoured black Mercedes Benz limousine (a donation from the Libyan leader) rolled over and hit a pole after it was hit by an old black E Class Mercedes Benz driven by Thomas Osei, 51, managing director of Pure Constructions Ltd.

The collision occurred at the Silver Star Tower/Opeibea traffic light junction on the three-lane Liberation Road.

According to a taxi driver, who had stopped from the Afgo end of the intersection, said he saw Mr Osei stopped to allow the presidential convoy to pass.

But, inexplicably, the taxi driver said he saw Mr Osei suddenly speeding head-on to crash into the President’s vehicle, unperturbed by blurring sirens from the long convoy of security vehicles accompanying the President.

The Statesman can report that Mr Osei was later on found at the Bureau of National Investigation to have been drunk and well above the alcohol limit when he was tested, registering 0.4 points. He allegedly admitted to the BNI of having had beer in the morning.

He, however, pleaded that he could not have intended to harm the President because he knows him quite well. Mr Osei, a road contractor, is based at the Airport Residential Area, where the President lives.

According to an eye witness report, the President’s car somersaulted twice, falling onto the next lane and in front of an oncoming vehicle from the opposite side.

Attempt by bystanders to rescue the President and his driver were thwarted by the President’s security personnel, who quickly whisked him into another car and sped away. Eye witnesses reported seeing the President holding his head, although he appeared unhurt.

The President’s driver, Emmanuel Osafo Addo sustained mild pains and was rushed to the hospital where he received some treatment.

Presidential Press Secretary, Andrew Awuni has described the accident as strange, in that the President was traveling in a full convoy. He said the President is doing well and assured Ghanaians that the President is fully in charge of affairs. He however noted that the President would undergo a medical check up.

National Security Minister Francis Poku also assured that the President was behind his desk in the afternoon going about his normal duties after being checked by his medical officers.

He cautioned road users against ignoring loud signals from the Presidential convoy. While saying this was no time to find excuses, Mr Poku also stressed on the nigh unpredictable nature of this particular accident.

He said "we will take lessons from this and take appropriate measures for the future.”

But, he said there are questions that need to be answered. Though he would not confirm that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, Mr Poku said, “We want to find out why the motorist did not respect the sirens and drove straight into the President’s vehicle.”

When The Statesman visited the 37 Military Hospital yesterday, the Minister of Defence and his Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier J B Danquah were there to visit the injured. Security at the hospital was very tight.

In a related development, the Merced Benz saloon car of presidential aspirant, Nana Akufo-Addo was also involved in a road accident on the 37 Military Hospital end of that same Liberation Road.

A vehicle drove erratically towards Nana Akufo-Addo’s car and it took the alertness of Nana’s driver, Joe, to avoid a head on collision. Nana’s vehicle was damaged but he escaped unhurt.

Also yesterday, a group of entertainers returning to Accra after a MUZIKA conference at Sunyani had their coach colliding with a taxi. Musical legends Nana Kwame Ampadu and A B Crentsil were critically injured according to unconfirmed reports. Comedian Waakye was also among the injured.

Also at the weekend, Alan Kyerematen’s campaign convoy was involved in a fatal accident. One of his drivers and two others were reportedly killed in the collision.