Residents in Akraman and Sakyikrom communities along the Accra to Kumasi Highway (N6) are protesting against rising pedestrian knockdowns due to absence of pedestrian facilities.
The Accra to Kumasi Highway, a critical national artery linking major cities in Ghana and neighboring West African countries, is facing a grave concern due to the lack of pedestrian safety measures such as walkways, overpasses, and underpasses.
The National Road Safety Authority reported a troubling 1,205 pedestrian knockdowns across the country in the first quarter of 2023, a significant portion of which occurred on the Accra to Kumasi Highway.
Communities along the route, including Akraman and Sakyikrom, have become hotspots for pedestrian accidents, prompting residents to stage protests.
Residents express deep concern about the daily risks they face while walking along or crossing the highway.
Parents equally share the peril they endure when crossing roads to send their children to school,while, Okada riders in Akraman and Sakyikrom recount the dangers they face while navigating this busy thoroughfare.
Former Assembly member Hayford Owusu revealed that despite raising the issue at the Nsawam Adoagyiri municipal assembly, no concrete actions have been taken to address the safety concerns. This lack of response has fueled frustration among the affected communities.
As fatalities continue to rise, communities along the Accra to Kumasi Highway are intensifying their protests.
They urge authorities, especially the Ghana Highways Authority, to prioritize the installation of crucial pedestrian facilities such as walkways, overpasses, and underpasses to mitigate the risk of fatal accidents.
The lack of pedestrian facilities along the Accra to Kumasi Highway has become a pressing issue, leading residents to demand immediate action to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
The protests serve as a collective call for urgent measures to address the persistent challenges faced by those navigating this crucial route.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
