Several lives continue to perish on the George Walker Bush Highway, popularly known as the N1, due to government’s failed promises to construct an additional overpass on the Abeka-Lapaz stretch of the N1.
Just two days ago (Wednesday) around 9pm, a man believed to be in his 40s was killed instantly in a hit and run accident, while trying to cross the three-lane Lapaz-Awoshie section of the road.
Blood was oozing from his head and his body appeared crooked. He laid two pavements away from where he was hit, until a policemen came to carry him away.
Two weeks ago, a car knocked down a woman and her daughter when they attempted crossing the highway. Several cars have also rammed into each other on the same road.
The George Walker Bush is a six-lane, 14-kilometre highway. It is one of the roads in the capital which has seen more accidents since its completion in February 2012. Within ten months after commissioning, 43 people were killed in a motor accident there.
The nearest footbridges are about 15 minutes walking distance from the traffic light intersections. Many pedestrians, after alighting from commercial vehicles, find it burdensome to access these footbridges which are way behind. Pedestrians who use this stretch of the road are always on a marathon even when the road is clear to cross.
Some pedestrians and traders who spoke to Citi News said “I have witnessed several accidents on this particular road. We have complained ever since this road was completed. We thought this was a venture that was going to bring us some relief but it has rather worsened our plight” one trader said.
“What have we not said about this road? You just cannot imagine the number of souls that have perished here at Lapaz especially.It is very scary crossing this road especially when the traffic lights are off. The drivers take over the road and expect us to compete with them. Only God can save us,” another pedestrian lamented.
In 2013, drivers, pedestrians and residents in the area protested and blocked some parts of the road, halting the movement of vehicles in a move to get government to construct more footbridges. However, no action was taken.
Former Roads and Highways Minister, Alhaji Aminu Sulemana, promised in Parliament that overpasses would be constructed but this hasn’t happened. In January 2015, the current Minister, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, assured that enough funds have been secured to start the construction of seven more footbridges from Fiesta Royale, Lapaz, Kwashieman all the way to Awoshie.
But four years after this project, more than 200 deaths have been recorded on this highway. Some pedestrians and residents who spoke to Citi News say they believe the footbridge project may not see the light of day.
What happened few days ago is yet another accident to occur on the N1. The big question is- how long will people continue to die recklessly while the authorities watch?
By: Farida Shaibu/citifmonline.com/ghana