The Assembly Member for Sumbrungu-Azorebisi in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, Hon. Elias A. Apasiya, has made a passionate appeal to municipal and regional authorities to urgently construct speed ramps along the Bolgatanga–Navrongo highway to curb the increasing rate of road accidents in the area.
Speaking exclusively on the BlueWaves Breakfast Show, Hon. Apasiya described the current situation as alarming and heartbreaking, citing a recent tragic incident that has shaken the community.
According to him, on February 16, a staff member of Bolgatanga Technical University, his pregnant wife, and their daughter were knocked down by a bus along the busy Bolgatanga–Navrongo stretch. The incident, he said, is only the latest in a series of accidents that have occurred on that particular section of the road.
“This incident is not the first,” Hon. Apasiya stressed. “Both my predecessor and I have written several letters to the authorities, but there has been no positive response.”
Repeated Appeals to Authorities
The Assembly Member revealed that multiple letters have been submitted to the Ghana Highways Authority, with copies sent to the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly and the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, requesting the installation of speed ramps and other traffic-calming measures in the community.
Despite these efforts, he lamented that no concrete action has been taken to address the growing safety concerns of residents.
Hon. Apasiya explained that the Sumbrungu-Azorbisi area has become increasingly vulnerable due to speeding vehicles using the highway, which passes directly through the community. Residents, including schoolchildren, traders, and workers, are often forced to cross the busy road daily, exposing them to significant danger.
A Community Living in Fear
He noted that the absence of speed ramps or pedestrian safety infrastructure has created a climate of fear among residents, who say drivers frequently overspeed on the stretch without regard for pedestrians.
The Assembly Member warned that without immediate intervention, more lives could be lost. He therefore called on the government and relevant road authorities to treat the matter as urgent and not trivial.
“We are pleading with the authorities to step in and act immediately. This is about protecting lives. It should not be treated as a minor issue,” he emphasized.
Call for Immediate Government Action
Hon. Apasiya’s appeal adds to growing concerns over road safety within communities situated along major highways in the Upper East Region. He believes that the installation of speed ramps, warning signs, and possibly pedestrian crossings would significantly reduce accidents and safeguard lives.
Residents of Sumbrungu-Azorbisi are now hoping that the latest tragedy will prompt swift action from the authorities to prevent further loss of life.
As calls intensify for intervention, attention is now on municipal, regional, and national road agencies to respond decisively to the community’s longstanding plea.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM | Maurice Duncan
