The tranquility of a Saturday evening on the Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta highway in Ghana’s Western Region was shattered by a catastrophic collision, claiming the lives of nine individuals and leaving several others battling for survival. The tragic incident, occurring between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on May 10, 2025, involved a passenger vehicle en route from Mankessim to Tarkwa and a truck approaching from the opposite direction. The crash site, located near the Kofi Tiaa-Egyam stretch of the highway, became a scene of devastation and despair as the two vehicles collided with immense force, ultimately plunging into a roadside pit. The impact of the collision was so severe that it resulted in immediate fatalities and left many trapped within the mangled wreckage.
Eyewitness accounts, like that of Charlotte Kaku, a trader who witnessed the horrifying event, painted a vivid picture of the chaotic scene. According to Kaku, the Mankessim-bound passenger vehicle was attempting to overtake a truck, presumably heading towards Abidjan, when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck from Tarkwa. This ill-fated overtaking maneuver proved to be the catalyst for the tragic sequence of events that unfolded. The resulting collision sent both vehicles careening off the road and into the pit, trapping occupants and scattering debris across the highway. Kaku described the frantic efforts of bystanders and arriving police officers who worked tirelessly to extricate survivors from the wreckage.
Emergency responders raced against time to provide critical medical assistance to the injured, transporting them to nearby hospitals. The Takoradi Government Hospital and the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital became the focal points for treating the survivors, while the deceased were transported to the mortuary at Effia-Nkwanta. The extent of the injuries sustained by the victims varied, with some succumbing to their injuries at the scene or later at the hospital. Among the confirmed fatalities was the driver of the Mankessim-bound passenger vehicle, who died on impact. The tragedy extended beyond the immediate loss of life, as families grappled with the devastating news and the arduous task of identifying their loved ones.
The aftermath of the accident exposed a grim reality: the loss of personal belongings and the resulting challenges in identifying some of the victims. Kaku revealed the distressing situation where opportunistic individuals exploited the chaos, stealing phones and other valuables from the accident scene. This callous act further compounded the difficulties faced by authorities and families trying to connect with the injured and deceased. The absence of identification documents and personal effects hampered efforts to notify next of kin, leaving some of the deceased unidentified in the morgue. Among the victims were a mother and her son, traveling to attend the funeral of the husband and father, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the unexpected turns it can take. Another victim, believed to be a high school student, added to the growing list of lives tragically cut short.
The challenging task of identifying the victims and notifying their families continues as authorities work tirelessly to piece together the fragments of information available. The severity of the injuries sustained by some of the survivors has made communication and identification extremely difficult. The absence of personal belongings, compounded by the theft of phones at the scene, has created significant obstacles in tracing family members. Authorities are relying on eyewitness accounts, hospital records, and any available documentation to establish the identities of the deceased and connect with their loved ones. The process is painstakingly slow and emotionally taxing for all involved.
The tragic accident on the Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta highway serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving. The incident underscores the potentially fatal consequences of risky overtaking maneuvers, particularly on busy highways. The loss of nine lives and the numerous injuries sustained serve as a tragic testament to the need for increased vigilance and adherence to traffic regulations. As investigations into the accident continue, authorities are likely to examine contributing factors, including driver error, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance, to determine the root cause of the collision and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The focus remains on supporting the affected families, identifying the remaining victims, and ensuring that the injured receive the necessary medical care and support during their recovery.
