The death of Nana Yaw Kyere, a well-known phone dealer at Circle in Accra, has raised concerns over security in parts of Teshie-Nungua, a densely populated coastal suburb of the capital. Kyere travelled to Teshie for a business deal and was later found dead, with investigations into the circumstances of his death still ongoing.
Following the incident, some ride-hailing drivers in Accra have expressed reluctance to take trips into certain parts of Teshie-Nungua once night falls, citing poor lighting and past robbery reports. An investigation by Ghanaian journalist Mac-Jordan Degadjor found that some drivers cancel ride requests when they see Teshie or Nungua listed as the destination, particularly late at night.
The reluctance is linked to previous cases of phone snatching, assaults, car theft, and drivers being lured to isolated spots. Some drivers draw a hard line at 8pm, especially when a pickup or drop-off falls inside an unfamiliar neighbourhood. Several locations have been mentioned in connection with past incidents, including Teshie Malik, Teshie Agblezaa, and the area around LEKMA Hospital.
Poor street lighting and isolated roads were cited by drivers as key reasons for steering clear of these routes after dark. However, none of these locations have been officially designated as dangerous by the Ghana Police Service. The claims reflect reported incidents and personal experiences shared by drivers rather than any official crime ranking.
A study on female ride-hailing drivers in Ghana, published in May 2026, found that 83 percent of the 23 women surveyed avoided driving at night or entering certain neighbourhoods because of security concerns. This points to a broader pattern of drivers weighing personal safety against accepting fares in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas.
For ordinary residents and visitors who rely on ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt to get around Accra at night, the reported avoidance of certain Teshie-Nungua routes could translate into cancelled bookings, longer waits for a driver, or difficulty securing a ride home after dark in the affected areas.
The renewed discussion has prompted calls for improved street lighting, stronger police patrols, and better protection measures for ride-hailing drivers working night shifts. No government agency or the Ghana Police Service has issued an official statement on the specific locations named in the report, and no timeline has been given for any response to the safety concerns raised.
Key points
- Ride-hailing drivers in Accra are avoiding parts of Teshie-Nungua at night due to poor lighting and past robbery reports.
- The death of phone dealer Nana Yaw Kyere has raised concerns over security in parts of Teshie-Nungua.
- Drivers are calling for improved street lighting, stronger police patrols, and better protection measures to address their safety concerns.
