CUTS Raises Concerns Over Abandoned Loaded Truck at Achimota

CUTS International Accra, a public policy think tank, has expressed concerns over a loaded Nigerian-registered articulated truck that has been parked along the Accra-Nsawam road near ABC Junction for over a month. The truck, with registration number T-26001LA, is obstructing road space and worsening traffic congestion on the busy corridor. The organisation finds it worrying that the vehicle has not been removed despite its proximity to Neoplan Junction, where police officers regularly direct traffic.

The Director of CUTS International's West Africa Regional Centre, Appiah Kusi Adomako, took a photograph of the truck on October 8, 2026, after observing it parked at the location for several weeks. He questioned why the vehicle had not been removed, raising concerns about the effectiveness of traffic enforcement and the responsiveness of state agencies. Mr Adomako called on the relevant authorities to explain why the obstruction had been allowed to persist for so long.

CUTS argued that the Ghana Police Service, National Road Safety Authority, and the relevant municipal assembly have responsibilities to identify and address road obstructions that endanger motorists. The organisation cited the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026, which prohibit parking on a road except in an emergency with adequate advance warning. It also pointed to regulations that require the owner or person in charge of a broken-down vehicle to ensure its immediate removal.

Beyond traffic implications, CUTS expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding the truck, particularly the lack of verified information about its cargo or whether authorities had inspected it. The organisation questioned the absence of a visible security cordon around the vehicle. Mr Adomako urged the Police to establish the truck's ownership, verify its contents, and assess potential risks to the public.

CUTS recalled the January 20, 2022, Appiatse explosion, which followed a collision involving a truck transporting mining explosives, and the August 2020 Beirut port explosion in Lebanon, where ammonium nitrate stored under unsafe conditions exploded. The organisation stressed that it was not alleging that the Achimota truck was carrying hazardous material but emphasised the importance of identifying cargo and ensuring safety measures.

The organisation called on the Ghana Police Service, National Security, NRSA, and the relevant municipal assembly to inspect the vehicle immediately, identify its owner and operator, and establish the nature of its cargo. CUTS also wants the authorities to assess risks, provide warnings, and arrange for the safe removal of the truck using suitable equipment.

CUTS demanded an investigation into the prolonged failure to clear the vehicle and urged the authorities to sanction any officers or agencies found to have neglected their responsibilities. Mr Adomako insisted that while the truck's owner must be held responsible, state institutions must also discharge their enforcement duties, adding that road users should not continue to bear the consequences of this neglect.

Key points

• The truck has been parked on the Accra-Nsawam road for over a month, obstructing road space and worsening traffic congestion.
• CUTS is calling for immediate intervention from the authorities to inspect the vehicle, identify its owner and cargo, and ensure safe removal.
• The organisation expressed concerns about potential security risks due to the unknown cargo and lack of visible security cordon around the vehicle.