Residents along the Kpetoe-Sarakope Road in the Volta Region are calling for stricter safety measures at ongoing road construction sites following a head-on collision between a cargo truck and an excavator that left one person trapped.
The crash, which occurred on the Sarakope-Aflao stretch, prompted a swift response from personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), who rescued the trapped victim from the mangled vehicle.
Volta Regional Public Relations Officer of the GNFS, Mr. Hope Bedzrah, said firefighters from the Kpetoe Fire Station responded to a distress call on Sunday and successfully extricated the male occupant from the wreckage of the MAN Diesel cargo truck.
The injured victim was handed over to emergency medical personnel and transported to the Ho Teaching Hospital for treatment.
While investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing, residents believe conditions around ongoing road construction works have increased the risk of accidents on the route.
According to some residents, contractors have parked heavy construction machinery along sections of the road and excavated deep trenches without providing adequate warning signs, reflective markings or protective barriers to alert motorists, particularly at night.
They appealed to road contractors and the relevant authorities to strengthen traffic management around construction zones by installing clear signage, adequate lighting and appropriate safety barriers to protect motorists and other road users.
Mr. Bedzrah also urged drivers to exercise caution and comply with road traffic regulations, especially when approaching construction areas, to help reduce road crashes and safeguard lives and property.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety standards on roads undergoing rehabilitation, with residents calling for greater collaboration between contractors, road agencies and law enforcement to prevent similar accidents.
