At least 13 killed in three-vehicle crash on Kumasi-Accra highway

At least 13 people have been killed and several others injured after a three-vehicle collision on the Kumasi-Accra Highway near Konongo in Ghana's Ashanti Region.

The crash happened at Odumase, involving a passenger bus, a cargo truck carrying tomatoes and a fuel tanker that was not carrying fuel at the time.

Emergency workers used rescue equipment to free passengers trapped inside the wreckage before transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.

Authorities say the death toll could rise as critically injured victims continue to receive treatment.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been established.

However, eyewitnesses told JoyNews that the collision followed an alleged wrongful overtaking manoeuvre, leading to a head-on impact involving the three vehicles.

Long queues of traffic built up along the busy highway as police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel worked to rescue survivors, recover bodies and clear the road.

Among those following developments was trader Ama Aseduah, who regularly travels the route to buy goods for her business.

"I use this road often because of my work. Every time I hear about another crash, I wonder whether the journey is worth the risk," she said.

The latest collision has once again drawn attention to road safety on one of Ghana's busiest transport corridors, used daily by commercial drivers, traders and passengers travelling between Accra and Kumasi.

Commercial driver Nana Kwami said many motorists face difficult working conditions but acknowledged that dangerous driving remains a concern.

"The roads are busy every day and some sections are in poor condition. Drivers also struggle with rising maintenance costs. Everyone wants to reach their destination quickly, but one wrong decision can cost many lives," he said.

Road safety campaigners have repeatedly warned about the dangers of speeding, risky overtaking and driver fatigue on major highways, urging stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and greater investment in road safety measures.

While emergency crews were still responding to the Odumase crash, another road accident was reported at Dadieso, also near Konongo, adding to concerns about safety along the highway.

Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding both incidents.

For families waiting outside hospitals and mortuaries, however, the focus is no longer on how the crash happened

but on those who never completed their journey.

As rescue and recovery efforts continued on Monday, twisted metal and scattered cargo remained on the roadside a stark reminder of the human cost of road crashes and the questions they continue to raise about safety on Ghana's highways.