Fatal accidents blamed on poor road construction

The Guantoahene of the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Area, Gomoaba Nana Apata Kofi V, has attributed most of the fatal road accidents in the country on poor architectural works by some road contractors.

He said due to the poor drawings of most of the country’s highways and feeder roads, majority of roads had what he described as; “numerous undesirable sharp and highly dangerous curves,” which created room for fatal accidents.

Nana Apata Kofi cited the Five-Kilometer stretch of road between Apam Junction and Kyiren-Nkwanta on the Cape Coast Accra highway which has 13 sharp curves.

He said a greater number of such dangerous curves could be found on the country’s highways, a situation which did not augur well for safe driving.

He said: “So long as we continue to harbour many such sharp and highly dangerous curves on our roads, the nation would continue to witness heart-breaking motor accidents from time to time”.

Nana Apata Kofi, therefore, suggested to Government to initiate steps to redesign portions of the country’s highways which have sharp and destructive curves to avoid fatal accidents.

The Guantoahene, who was commenting on the recent fatal accident at Kitampo which claimed more than 60 lives, however, condemned reckless driving by some drivers, and advised them to cultivate a “live-saving attitude” when driving.

He said it was high time Ghana initiated effective and more pragmatic measures to make travelling on the country’s highways safe.

He suggested that Parliament should set up a special road restructuring committee to deal with the issue.

The Guantoahene expressed the council’s deepest condolences to families and relatives of the Kitampo road accident victims on behalf of the President of the Gomoa-Ajumako Traditional Council, Okatakyi Nyaful Krampah XI, members of the Traditional Council, and the entire people of the area.