Seven vehicles involved in early-morning collision on Accra-Nsawam Highway
The death toll from the multiple-vehicle crash at Ofankor Barrier on the Accra-Nsawam Highway has risen to 12, with another 22 people receiving treatment at various health facilities.
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) confirmed the latest figures following the crash, which occurred at about 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, along the Ofankor-Pokuase stretch of the highway.
Felix Owusu, Senior Planning Manager at the NRSA, said 19 of the injured victims are being treated at the Asofa Hospital, while three others are at the Achimota Hospital.
The crash involved seven vehicles, comprising two tipper trucks, two Sprinter buses, two saloon cars and a tricycle.
Broken-down tricycle may have triggered collision
Mr Owusu said preliminary information gathered at the scene suggests that a broken-down tricycle, popularly known as an aboboyaa, may have been the initial factor in the chain of events.
According to him, the tricycle had reportedly become stationary on the road, prompting a tipper truck carrying sand to stop behind it.
Two Sprinter buses carrying passengers were said to have subsequently stopped behind the tipper truck.
Another tipper truck then reportedly approached the area at high speed and crashed into the vehicles ahead, triggering a series of collisions.
Mr Owusu, however, stressed that the account was based on preliminary information and should not be regarded as the official cause of the accident.
“From the little we have gathered, there was a stationary tricycle or what most people call an ‘aboboyaa’. There was a tricycle which had broken down,” he said.
Police investigation underway
The NRSA is awaiting the full findings of the Ghana Police Service investigation to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the crash.
Authorities are expected to examine a number of factors, including vehicle speeds, road visibility, the positioning of the broken-down tricycle, possible driver errors and whether appropriate warning measures were in place.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of broken-down vehicles and commercial tricycles operating or stopping on major highways, particularly during periods of limited visibility.
Fresh concerns over road safety
The Ofankor tragedy adds to Ghana’s continuing road safety concerns, with crashes involving commercial vehicles and heavy-duty trucks frequently resulting in multiple fatalities.
The early-morning timing of the incident also highlights the dangers associated with driving in conditions where visibility may be reduced and motorists may have limited time to react to stationary vehicles.
Road safety authorities have consistently urged motorists to exercise caution, maintain safe speeds and ensure that vehicles that develop mechanical faults are properly marked and moved away from active traffic lanes where possible.
As investigations continue, the NRSA has cautioned against drawing conclusions about the cause of the Ofankor crash until the police complete their assessment.
For now, the tragedy leaves 12 people dead and 22 others injured, underscoring once again the heavy human cost of road crashes on Ghana’s highways.