Residents of Sumbrungu in the Upper East Region of Ghana are calling for urgent road safety interventions along the Bolgatanga-Navrongo highway. This follows a spate of fatal accidents that have claimed nine lives in 14 incidents between July and October 2026. The community is particularly concerned about the absence of essential safety features such as speed ramps, pedestrian crossings, warning signs, and functional streetlights. These deficiencies have made the highway increasingly hazardous, especially for children and pedestrians.
A resident, Gilbert Alolika, recounted the tragic impact of these accidents on the community. He described a recent incident where two young men died after crashing into a stationary truck along the Sumbrungu stretch of the highway. The victims succumbed to their injuries in the early hours of the morning. Mr. Alolika emphasized that the consequences of these accidents extend beyond the immediate victims, leaving families to grapple with emotional and economic hardships.
The residents have documented 14 accidents along the highway between July and October 2026, resulting in nine fatalities and several serious injuries. They describe the road, a part of the ECOWAS international highway, as a death trap. The community attributes the situation to inadequate road safety measures and the continuous movement of heavy-duty trucks. Mr. Alolika expressed concern that the highway passes through a densely populated area with a basic school and a market, yet lacks crucial safety features.
Mr. Alolika highlighted the community's frustration with the lack of warning signs, zebra crossings, and speed ramps. He questioned, "Have you seen any road sign showing that there’s a school here? Have you seen any zebra crossing? Have you seen anything showing that this is a small market?" The absence of these safety measures, combined with speeding and dangerous driving, exposes residents to avoidable risks. The community is urging authorities to take immediate action to address these concerns.
The residents acknowledge efforts by Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga and community leaders to engage with the Department of Urban Roads and the Ghana Highway Authority. However, they express frustration that these engagements have yet to yield the desired safety interventions. Mr. Alolika appealed directly to the Minister for Roads and Highways to expedite the necessary approvals and facilitate the implementation of road safety measures along the stretch.
The community is demanding the installation of speed ramps, warning signs, zebra crossings, and functional streetlights, alongside increased police enforcement to address speeding and dangerous driving. They want the relevant authorities to assess the Sumbrungu-Anateem stretch and implement appropriate measures to protect pedestrians and motorists. The community maintains that further delays could expose more residents to fatal accidents and leave additional families mourning their loved ones.
Mr. Alolika expressed anger over the latest deaths, arguing that timely government intervention could help prevent similar tragedies. He appealed for urgent action, stating that if approvals were secured promptly, a contractor could be deployed within a month or two to implement the necessary safety measures. The residents are hopeful that the authorities will take their concerns seriously and take immediate action to prevent further loss of life.
Key points
- Nine people have been killed in 14 road accidents along the Bolgatanga-Navrongo highway between July and October 2026.
- Residents of Sumbrungu are demanding the installation of speed ramps, warning signs, zebra crossings, and functional streetlights to improve road safety.
- The community has acknowledged efforts by local leaders to engage with authorities, but expresses frustration that these efforts have yet to yield tangible results.
