There is a growing public safety crisis unfolding in Kumasi as non-functioning traffic lights at major intersections continue to endanger lives and worsen traffic congestion.
Traffic signals at some high-risk intersections within the metropolis have remained dead for months; some for over a year, despite repeated accidents.
The alarming situation has left pedestrians and motorists fearing for their safety, as calls mount for authorities to act before more lives are lost.
Accident hostspots: A disaster in waiting
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has linked the persistent traffic light failures to a sharp rise in pedestrian knockdowns and motor accidents across Greater Kumasi.
Key trouble spots include Gao Junction, Afful Nkwanta, Anloga-Asokwa Highway, and the Tech Police Station intersection, where non-functioning signals have led to near-daily collisions.
Drivers navigate these stretches with caution, while pedestrians risk their lives crossing.
At Gao Junction, a hotspot for vehicular movement, the traffic light has been a “white elephant” for over a year, with multiple accidents already linked to the signal failure.
Isaac Amoah, a visibly distressed pedestrian, lamented “the number of accidents here is alarming, all because this traffic light doesn’t work. Yet, nothing is being done.”
The traffic light on the Anloga Junction-Asokwa Highway mirrors a disaster in waiting. Pedestrian knockdown is very common here.
Kwame Poku recounted a tragic incident: “A co-tenant was killed by a speeding motorcycle while crossing. If the lights worked, she might still be alive.”
A near-fatal crash at the Tech Police Station intersection left the traffic light smashed on the ground. Two weeks later, the broken signal still lies in ruins, forcing motorists and pedestrians into a dangerous free-for-all.
While MTTD officers occasionally step in to direct traffic, their presence is not enough to prevent the escalating risks.
“Some drivers, especially tricycle riders, ignore basic road rules. A functioning traffic light could save lives,” Richard Nyarko, a motorist, noted.
With accidents mounting, citizens are hoping to see the repair of this important road infrastructure before more lives are lost.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
