By On April 26, 2025, a devastating road accident in Adansi Dompoase, near the new Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) office in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of six individuals. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) reported that a collision between a VIP bus (registration GW 8455-23) and a Benz Sprinter (registration GS 6383-20) left the Sprinter mangled at the rear and the bus partially damaged at the front.
One survivor was rushed to Fomena Government Hospital for emergency treatment, while the six deceased were handed over to the police. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but this tragedy is a stark reminder of the persistent road safety challenges plaguing Ghana.
This accident is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern in the Ashanti Region, which has long been a hotspot for road traffic fatalities. According to the National Road Safety Commission’s 2018 statistics, the Ashanti Region recorded 403 deaths in 2016 alone, accounting for 19.3% of all road fatalities in Ghana that year.
More recent data from the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) reveals that the region saw 581 crashes in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. The Adansi Dompoase crash follows other recent tragedies, such as the June 2024 Kodie-Apagya accident, where a trader lost her life in a similar collision.
The broader context of Ghana’s road safety crisis paints an even grimmer picture. The World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 indicates that while global road traffic deaths have slightly decreased to 1.19 million annually, the burden remains disproportionately high in countries like Ghana. The report underscores that poor road conditions, inadequate enforcement of traffic laws, and rapid urbanization without corresponding infrastructure improvements are key contributors to such accidents.
In the Ashanti Region, the Accra-Kumasi highway—where Adansi Dompoase is located—has been flagged as one of Ghana’s most dangerous roads. A 2018 study by the National Road Safety Commission noted a relaxation of traffic enforcement on this highway, which may have contributed to the 11.3% increase in fatal crashes in the region that year.
The Adansi Dompoase accident highlights systemic issues that demand immediate attention. The area, a growing hub due to developments like the new ECG office, has seen increased traffic without adequate road expansion or safety measures. Many roads in the region remain in a dilapidated state, as noted in prior studies, posing significant risks to commuters and commercial drivers alike.
The fact that the Sprinter was “completely mangled” suggests high-speed impact, raising questions about speed limits, road design, and driver behavior—factors that have long been identified as contributors to Ghana’s road accident epidemic.
This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, local authorities, and the public. The government must prioritize the renovation of dangerous roads like those in the Ashanti Region, as recommended by the National Road Safety Commission.
Stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, including speed limits and vehicle maintenance checks, is essential to curb reckless driving. Additionally, public awareness campaigns on road safety can educate drivers and pedestrians alike, fostering a culture of responsibility on the roads.
Moreover, the private sector and community organizations have a role to play. Partnerships between the government and transport unions could lead to better training for commercial drivers, while technology—such as speed cameras and improved emergency response systems—could mitigate risks and save lives.
The GNFS’s swift response to the Adansi Dompoase crash, completing rescue operations within 45 minutes, is commendable, but more investment in emergency services could further reduce fatalities in such incidents.
As Ghanaians mourn the loss of six lives in Adansi Dompoase, we must channel this grief into action. The WHO has set a global target to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, but Ghana will fall short of this goal without concerted efforts. Families deserve to travel without fear, and communities like Adansi Dompoase should not be defined by tragedy. Let this accident be the catalyst for change—a renewed commitment to making Ghana’s roads safer for all.
What can you do? Share your thoughts on road safety in Ghana in the comments below, and join the conversation on social media using #RoadSafetyGhana. Together, we can advocate for the reforms needed to prevent future tragedies.
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