A dawn journey turned into a nightmare on Tuesday, April 22, when 11 people lost their lives in a horrific accident at Amanase, near Suhum, along the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
According to preliminary investigations, a fuel tanker with registration number GR 1300-16, allegedly driven by a dozing driver, veered off its lane and collided head-on with a Benz Sprinter bus (GW 6510-23) carrying passengers northward.
The impact was devastating—nine male adults and two females died instantly, while several other passengers were critically injured. Emergency responders from the Suhum Fire Service and Police swiftly arrived to assist with rescue efforts and control the heavy traffic buildup that followed.
ADO1 Akonnor Opare Ohene Daniel, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service in Suhum, confirmed that the injured victims are being treated at the Suhum Government Hospital. He noted that the quick response from emergency teams likely saved more lives.
Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Awatey, deeply saddened by the tragedy, is en route to the hospital to check on survivors. Her office says arrangements are being made to transfer critically injured victims to better-equipped facilities if necessary.
This incident raises renewed concerns about driver fatigue and safety regulations for long-haul drivers, particularly those operating fuel tankers. Road safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of rest periods and monitoring systems to prevent similar occurrences.
