The La Nkwantanang–Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA) in the Greater Accra Region has begun the re-erection of a 500-metre metal wire fence along the Zongo Junction–Redco Flats stretch of the Atomic Junction–Aburi Highway.

Pedestrians using the footbridge at the Zongo Juction

The move is aimed at enforcing the use of footbridges to reduce pedestrian casualties along the highway, which has become an accident-prone area.

The stretch has recorded more than 25 deaths, with several others sustaining severe injuries in recent months, largely due to pedestrians refusing to use the footbridges located at Zongo Junction and the Redco Flats areas.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Ibrahim Fusseini Faila, in an interview with The Ghanaian Times, explained that the assembly would not allow the area to continue being labelled an accident hotspot, hence the decision to re-erect the fence.

According to him, work on the 500-metre stretch from Zongo Junction to Redco Flats had been completed, adding that construction on the second section would soon commence to block easy access to the main highway.

He urged pedestrians who have refused to use the footbridges to comply, warning that anyone found engaging in misconduct would not be spared.

He noted that the previous wire fence, constructed in 2021, was vandalised by traders and other miscreants due to inadequate security.

He added that some individuals even assaulted city guards at the time, but warned that such acts would not be tolerated anymore, as the current project has strong institutional backing.

Again, Alhaji Faila stated that extensive public sensitisation had been carried out to ensure compliance by pedestrians, traders, and other stakeholders, adding that enforcement would be intensified once the sanitation task force was deployed.

The Municipal Planning Officer, Mr Frederick Asiamah, told The Ghanaian Times that following the redesign and construction of the Tetteh Quarshie–Madina–Aburi Highway between 2006 and 2008, traffic flow improved significantly.

He explained, however, that the construction of auxiliary safety facilities, including footbridges, stalled at the time, leaving pedestrians with no option but to cross the highway at various points, resulting in numerous casualties.

Mr Asiamah said the situation led to public and media agitation, prompting government intervention in 2017.

He noted that the resumption and construction of six footbridges along the Atomic Junction–Adentan stretch significantly reduced pedestrian casualties.

However, he observed that the unfriendly design of some footbridges and the long distances between them had compelled certain pedestrians to continue crossing the highway at unauthorised points, leading to renewed incidents.

According to him, the assembly, under the leadership of the MCE, and in consultation with the Ghana Highways Authority and other stakeholders, resolved after the change of government to reconstruct the metal fences to compel the use of footbridges and introduce additional safety measures to curb the carnage on that section of the highway.

Mr Asiamah further noted that increased human activity, including commercial and trading activities at the Madina Business Centre had resulted in a population surge.

He stressed that every possible measure would be taken to protect lives and property, and advised the public to strictly adhere to the MCE’s directive to use the footbridges or risk the consequences.