The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to accelerate ongoing works on the Accra-Kumasi Highway after a deadly road crash at the Birim Bridge claimed lives and left several others injured.

In a statement signed by the Ranking Member of the Roads and Transport Committee, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the Caucus expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commiserated with the bereaved families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Minority said the latest accident highlights the urgent need to address persistent safety challenges on the highway, adding that recurring crashes on the corridor cannot continue to be accepted as unavoidable.

The Caucus urged the government to prioritise the completion of all outstanding sections of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, including bypasses and other road improvement projects, to improve safety and reduce fatalities.

“We share in the grief of the affected families and stand in solidarity with all those who have been impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy,” the statement said.

The Minority also acknowledged government’s commitment of US$1.7 billion for the proposed Accra-Kumasi Expressway project, funded through a facility from the Bank of Ghana.

However, the Caucus argued that while the long-term vision of constructing an expressway is commendable, immediate action is needed to complete existing road projects that can save lives.

“We believe that the immediate priority should be to complete the existing highway that can save lives now,” the statement added.

The Minority said fatal crashes along the Accra-Kumasi corridor should be treated as a national emergency and called for expedited action while preparations for the expressway project continue.