Ofankor-Pokuase Crash: 11 Dead and 13 Injured in Devastating Multi-Vehicle Accident at Ofankor Barrier

In the early hours of Thursday, August 13, 2026, a massive collision on the Ofankor-Pokuase stretch of the highway has resulted in multiple fatalities and left several others severely injured, throwing the busy transit corridor into complete chaos

The catastrophic incident took place at approximately 4:00 AM between the Ofankor Barrier and the John Teye enclave, involving a total of twenty-four people. The Ghana National Fire Service has confirmed that eleven individuals tragically lost their lives, while thirteen others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The multi-vehicle pile-up involved seven vehicles in total, which included two tipper trucks, two Sprinter buses, two saloon cars, and a single tricycle. Eyewitness accounts from the scene indicate that the disaster began when a tipper truck collided with a tricycle, triggering a massive chain reaction as the trailing vehicles crashed into the wreckage. Many of the victims on board the passenger vehicles were local traders who were transporting their goods to market in the early morning.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, emergency responders from the Amasaman Fire Station and the National Fire Service Headquarters were dispatched to the scene to undertake difficult rescue operations.

Personnel worked tirelessly for hours to extricate passengers who were trapped inside the mangled vehicles, while the National Ambulance Service conveyed the thirteen injured victims to the Achimota Hospital for urgent medical attention. Under the supervision of officials like DO1 Emmanuel Bonnie, the bodies of the deceased were retrieved and handed over to the police for transport to the hospital for formal confirmation.

While the official investigation is currently underway to establish the exact circumstances leading up to the crash, the incident has ignited a passionate national conversation regarding road safety culture in Ghana.

Prominent voices have raised urgent concerns about the persistent issues of illegal lane crossing, particularly by heavy-duty trucks, which remains a major hazard on our roads. Other analysts have pointed to systemic infrastructure challenges, such as non-functioning streetlights on major highways due to wire theft, and the complex delays associated with insurance claims that often force drivers to ignore proper vehicle maintenance.

Additionally, former lawmakers have urged the public and motorists to focus on proactive preventative measures and strict law compliance rather than resigning tragic road accidents to fate or spiritual causes.

As emergency teams continue working to clear the heavy wreckage, motorists travelling along the Ofankor-Pokuase stretch have been strongly urged to exercise extreme caution and use alternative lanes where possible.

The devastating multi-vehicle crash at the Ofankor Barrier is a painful wake-up call that underscores the urgent need for stricter traffic enforcement, better driver education, and collective responsibility on Ghanaian roads.