In a distressing incident, an accident on Kanda Highway has amplified the need for immediate action to address malfunctioning traffic lights in the city. The incident, which occurred earlier today, resulted in a collision involving several vehicles due to damaged traffic lights at the intersection.
Speaking to happyghana.com, an eyewitness at the scene indicated that there was no casualty.
The accident has reignited discussions surrounding the ongoing campaign led by Happy 98.9 FM, Ghana’s prominent radio station, dubbed, “#FixTheTrafficLights.” Over the past few weeks, the station has been at the forefront of addressing the critical issue of malfunctioning traffic lights that have been causing chaos and posing significant safety risks to motorists and pedestrians alike.
The damaged traffic lights at the Kanda Highway intersection are just one of the many instances across Accra where malfunctioning signals have contributed to accidents and traffic congestion. The station’s campaign, which has gained widespread public support, aims to push authorities to take swift action in repairing and maintaining traffic lights throughout the city.
However, after several attempts to engage with appropriate authorities, efforts have proven futile.
“Our leaders have proven to us that they don’t value a lot of things in the country and value for lives and standard road safety measures tops the list. For so long, the problems are there and still lingering,” Sefah Danquah, the host of Happy 98.9 FM’s Epa Hoa Daben bemoaned.
The sentiment is shared by countless residents who have long been grappling with the consequences of malfunctioning traffic lights.
Sefah Danquah elaborated, “Sometimes people think we talk too much, but we just didn’t get up to talk. We tried to engage with the appropriate authorities. We realized the problems, wrote letters to them. We wrote to the Department of Urban Roads, Roads and Highway Ministry, National Road Safety Authority, and the various MTTDs in Accra. We wrote to so many agencies, including the municipal assemblies. As law-abiding citizens, we can’t get up and do anything, so we used the appropriate means, and up until today, nothing has been done. The problems have not been solved, and they are still lingering.”
Accidents resulting from damaged traffic lights has alarmed citizens and prompted a wave of demands for immediate action. The campaign has gained traction on social media platforms with the hashtag #FixTheTrafficLights, encouraging individuals to share their experiences and highlight the hazardous situations they encounter daily.