The Okere District Security Council (DISEC) has temporarily shut down Apirede to Somanya road in the Eastern region over rampant deadly crashes. Fatal crashes are recorded on the hilly-curvy road almost every month since it was constructed years ago.
A month ago, a Lecturer and three students of the University of Education -Winneba (UEW) died in a crash on the road whilst dozens of students sustained injuries. On Friday, October 7, 2022, six mourners en route from Koforidua to Aflao perished whilst 18 others sustained injuries after a Sprinter bus transporting them also crashed into the escarpment.
A statement issued by the District Chief Executive of Okere Daniel Kenneth who is chairman of DISEC said “The general public and motorists who ply the Apirede – Kwamante -Somanya Road are being informed of the Temporal closure of that road by the District Security Committee (DISEC) effective 7th October 2022. This action has become necessary due to the frequency of fatal accidents happening on the road”.
Due to the ongoing construction of the Koforidua -Adukrom to Somanya highway many drivers prefer using the accident prone -Apirede to Somanya road but the statement by DISEC directs that “motorists traveling to Somanya and beyond are to use the Adukrom-Aseseeso-Trom Junction road whilst the District collaborates with Feeder Roads and National Road Safety Commission to improve on the safety of the road.
“We are urging the general public and motorists to bear with us, as it is in the interest of preventing the fatal accidents on that road and saving lives.”
Many experts have blamed engineering defects of the road, ineffective brake systems of vehicles and careless driving for the frequent fatal crashes on the road. The only few road signs on the Apirede to Somanya road have been covered with weed. The sharp descending curves do not have guardrails to prevent vehicles that fail break from crashing into a ditch.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
