The Ofankor-Amasaman-Nsawam Highway, which saw construction works begin in 2023 to ease heavy traffic congestion, is now a source of frustration and danger for motorists and pedestrians alike.
While progress has been made on road expansion, delays in the construction of a footbridge at Festus, a key section of the highway, have led to a rise in pedestrian-vehicle crashes, leaving residents worried about their safety.
At Festus, the absence of a footbridge has turned simple road crossings into a life-threatening ordeal. Two sets of lanes have been completed, one leading to Accra and the other to Amasaman but with no pedestrian overpass, people are forced to risk their lives crossing the busy highway.
Sandra, a teacher who frequently uses the road, recounted a tragic incident she witnessed.
“It is dangerous. Our lives are at risk, but we do not have a choice. That is the only way we have, so we just have to use it like that. I was going out to get something and witnessed a car knock down two people at once. One was almost lifeless, so we had to carry them to the nearby hospital.
“The accident involved a man with a child and a woman. That was my second time witnessing something like that. Even if the road is not done and the bridge is completed, it will go a long way to save lives.”
Some argue that pedestrians may ignore the footbridge even if it is built, as has been seen on other highways.
However, Beatrice, another pedestrian, dismissed this claim, emphasising that she values her safety and would use the bridge without hesitation.
“It is a challenge when crossing the road. You spend a lot of time trying to cross over to the other side. My life is dear to me, unlike those who opt to cross the road despite the availability of a footbridge. So we plead with the government to construct the footbridge for us.”
In recent weeks, a series of pedestrian knockdowns have triggered outrage among drivers at the Festus Taxi Rank. Frustrated by the continued accidents, they staged a protest by blocking the highway to demand immediate action.
“Since last week, vehicles have been knocking down pedestrians successively, so we are blocking the highway. There is a structure that signals a footbridge is underway, but work has stalled. For about two weeks now, we have lost several lives here, and we can’t sit idle and watch this continue.
“That is our reason for protesting this morning until they construct a footbridge for us,” one of the protesting drivers stated.
During a visit to the area, Citi News observed that pillars with iron rods had been erected, indicating that construction had begun but later stalled.
Vice Chairman of the GPRTU at Festus Taxi Rank, David Nyarko, attributed the delay to the resistance of a nearby hotel owner, who is reportedly refusing to allow part of the facility to be demolished for the bridge’s completion.
“I think the government has enough power to forcefully demolish the front view of the hotel to make way for the bridge. We know the hotel owner has been compensated, so we do not know what is going on.
“The construction works have slowed, and I think it’s due to the change in government. Additionally, the effort of the assembly is not enough since there is no MCE to oversee this issue,” Nyarko said.
The delay is putting the lives of pedestrians especially school children who use the road daily at great risk.
Assembly Member for the Amanfrom Electoral Area, Alfred Amakye, confirmed that a legal dispute between the hotelier and the contractors is at the centre of the issue.
In the meantime, he assured residents that a task force would be established to help pedestrians cross the road safely until the footbridge is completed.
“I will engage the vice chairman at the taxi rank to establish a task force mandated to help pedestrians cross and find a way to fund them,” Amakye stated.
As road users anxiously await a resolution, residents and motorists continue to call on authorities to expedite the construction of the footbridge before more lives are lost.
