Omanghana
The death toll from the multiple-vehicle crash at the Ofankor Barrier on the Accra–Nsawam Highway has increased to 12, the National Road Safety Authority has confirmed.
The devastating collision occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and involved seven vehicles travelling along the Ofankor–Pokuase stretch.
Twenty-two other people sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at different medical facilities.
Felix Owusu, Senior Planning Manager at the NRSA, said 19 of the injured victims had been admitted to the Asofa Hospital, while three others were receiving treatment at the Achimota Hospital.
The vehicles involved in the pile-up were two tipper trucks, two passenger Sprinter buses, two saloon cars and a tricycle, commonly known as an “aboboyaa.”
Although the police have not yet established the official cause, preliminary information gathered by the NRSA suggests that a broken-down tricycle may have triggered the chain of events.
According to Owusu, the tricycle reportedly developed a fault and remained stationary on the express lane.
A tipper truck carrying sand managed to stop behind it, followed by two Sprinter buses carrying passengers.
A second tipper truck reportedly approached at high speed and failed to stop before crashing into the vehicles ahead, setting off the multiple collisions.
The NRSA stressed that the account remains preliminary and should not be considered the official cause until the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service completes its investigation.
The severity of the impact left several victims trapped in the mangled vehicles, particularly the Sprinter buses.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service were dispatched from the Amasaman Fire Station and the Service’s headquarters to support the rescue operation.
Firefighters used specialized equipment to cut through parts of the wreckage and free victims before handing them over to emergency medical teams.
The crash caused heavy traffic congestion during the morning commute. Police temporarily diverted vehicles onto the outer service lanes to create space for rescuers and facilitate the removal of the damaged vehicles.
The NRSA has expressed condolences to the families of those killed and called on motorists to exercise greater caution, especially when driving through built-up areas.
It reminded drivers that the statutory speed limit is 90 kilometers per hour on highways, 50 kilometers per hour in urban settlements and 30 kilometers per hour in densely populated areas.
Vehicle owners and commercial transport operators were also advised to conduct regular mechanical inspections to reduce the risk of breakdowns on busy roads.
Authorities have urged the public to wait for the final police report before drawing conclusions about responsibility for the crash.
Source: Omanghana
