At least 13 dead in triple-vehicle collision on Kumasi-Accra Highway near Konongo

A tragic road accident has claimed at least 13 lives on the Kumasi-Accra Highway in the Ashanti Region, raising fresh concerns about safety on one of Ghana's busiest transport corridors. The multi-vehicle crash occurred at Odumase, near Konongo, involving a tomato-laden cargo truck, a passenger bus and an empty fuel tanker in what appears to have been a catastrophic head-on collision.

Eyewitnesses at the scene told journalists that the crash resulted from an alleged wrongful overtaking manoeuvre that sent vehicles into a direct collision. Emergency response teams mobilised quickly to the crash site, conducting rescue operations and transporting injured victims to nearby health facilities. The accident created significant traffic disruptions along the highway as security and emergency personnel worked to clear the wreckage and recover bodies.

Multiple incidents raise alarm

Compounding the tragedy, a second road crash was reported shortly after the initial collision at Dadieso, also near Konongo. The consecutive incidents within the same stretch have intensified concerns among transport safety advocates about conditions and driver behaviour on the Kumasi-Accra route. The exact cause of the first accident remains under investigation, though eyewitness accounts point to overtaking as a contributing factor.

Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue and critically injured victims receive medical treatment. The severity of injuries sustained by survivors suggests some may not recover, making ongoing medical monitoring crucial in the coming days.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Kumasi-Accra Highway is a critical economic artery connecting Ghana's two largest metropolitan areas and remains one of the country's deadliest roads. Road traffic accidents on this corridor claim hundreds of lives annually, making it a persistent public health crisis. The Ashanti Region, through which much of the highway passes, has repeatedly featured in road safety statistics as a hotspot for fatal crashes.

Ghana's road accident rate remains among the highest in West Africa, with factors including poor road conditions, speeding, reckless overtaking, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws consistently identified as primary causes. The National Road Safety Authority and the Ghana Police Service have launched numerous campaigns to improve driver discipline and vehicle safety standards, yet fatal accidents continue at alarming frequency.

These latest deaths underscore the urgent need for enhanced speed enforcement, better vehicle maintenance standards, and improved emergency response infrastructure along major highways. The occurrence of two separate crashes within minutes on the same stretch suggests systemic issues requiring comprehensive intervention beyond driver education alone.

Key details

• The cargo truck was transporting tomatoes; the fuel tanker was empty at the time
• Emergency responders and security agencies conducted rescue and recovery operations at the scene
• Heavy traffic congestion resulted from the accident and ongoing emergency operations