A fatal road accident at the Bortianor Bus Stop along the busy Mallam-Kasoa highway has once again thrown a spotlight on the urgent need for pedestrian safety and road infrastructure improvements in Ghana’s urban corridors.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of Friday, June 20, claimed the life of a yet-to-be-identified woman who was attempting to cross the highway.
According to eyewitnesses, the woman was standing on the road median—likely waiting for a safe moment to cross—when she was struck by a long vehicle with registration number WR 1475-13.
Witnesses told Citi News that the driver of the truck had swerved off the main lane to avoid rear-ending other vehicles that had stopped to allow pedestrians to cross.
In the process, the truck veered dangerously close to the median, tragically running over the woman who was unaware of the impending danger.
Lighting and Safety Failures Cited
Eyewitnesses attributed the tragedy in part to poor visibility, pointing to the non-functioning streetlights along the stretch from Mallam Junction to Kasoa—a critical failure on one of Accra’s busiest highways.
“This road is a death trap at night.
The woman didn’t see the truck coming because the lights aren’t working. There are poles, but no lights.
It’s extremely risky for anyone trying to cross after dark,” one bystander lamented.
This fatality has intensified public concern over the poor state of pedestrian infrastructure and lighting in high-traffic urban zones.
With no pedestrian footbridge at Bortianor and insufficient signage or speed control measures, locals say it was only a matter of time before such a tragedy occurred.
Broader Road Safety Crisis
This accident adds to Ghana’s alarming road safety statistics.
On average, over 2,000 people lose their lives annually in traffic-related incidents, while thousands more suffer serious injuries.
Urban areas like Accra and Kumasi remain particularly vulnerable due to congestion, reckless driving, and inadequate infrastructure for non-motorized road users.
Transport safety advocates and community leaders are calling on the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Department of Urban Roads, and the National Road Safety Authority to implement immediate interventions. These include:
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Restoration of all non-functional streetlights along the Mallam-Kasoa corridor
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Installation of pedestrian footbridges at high-risk bus stops like Bortianor
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Strict enforcement of speed limits and vehicle safety inspections
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Improved road signage and visible crosswalks
Investigations Ongoing
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the full circumstances leading to the accident, including the condition of the truck, the actions of the driver, and any systemic failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Meanwhile, residents in the area are calling for justice for the victim and swift government action to prevent further loss of life.
“This shouldn’t happen again. Someone’s mother, sister, or daughter is gone because we don’t take pedestrian safety seriously,” a visibly shaken eyewitness said.
The Bortianor accident stands as a grim reminder of the consequences of infrastructure neglect and is fueling fresh demands for a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard pedestrians—particularly in rapidly growing urban areas.
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