The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently complete ongoing works on the Accra–Kumasi Highway following the fatal multi-vehicle crash at the Birimso Bridge that claimed some lives.
In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei on Tuesday, August 4, the caucus expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy and extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
“We share in the grief of the affected families and stand in solidarity with all those who have been impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy,” the statement said.
The Minority described the accident as another painful reminder of the persistent safety challenges on the Accra–Kumasi Highway, stressing that the recurring loss of lives on the road cannot be accepted as inevitable.
The caucus appealed to the government to make the completion of all ongoing sections of the highway, including bypasses and other outstanding works, an immediate national priority.
According to the statement, although the government has committed US$1.7 billion for the proposed Accra–Kumasi Expressway Project, approximately US$300 million would be sufficient to complete the existing bypasses and ongoing works on the current highway.
The Minority argued that while the long-term vision of constructing an expressway is commendable, immediate attention should be given to completing the existing road infrastructure to save lives.
“While the long-term vision of constructing an expressway is commendable, the Minority Caucus believes that the immediate priority should be to complete the existing highway that can save lives now,” the statement noted.
The caucus further called for the outstanding works to be treated as a matter of national urgency, insisting that construction on the current highway should be expedited even as preparations continue for the proposed expressway.
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