MP Calls for Action After 16 Die in Juaso Highway Accident

A devastating road accident occurred on July 28, 2025, on the Accra-Kumasi Highway near Juaso Junction, claiming the lives of 16 members of the Obogu Saviour Church. The victims were returning from an Annual Youth Conference at Osiem in the Eastern Region when the tragic incident happened.

The Member of Parliament for Asante Akim South, Hon. Kwaku Asante-Boateng, delivered a heartfelt statement on the floor of Parliament, expressing his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and calling for immediate action to address the safety concerns along the stretch of the highway where the accident occurred.

Below is the full statement by Hon. Kwaku Asante-Boateng:

“STATEMENT BY HON. KWAKU ASANTE-BOATENG, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ASANTE AKIM SOUTH CONSTITUENCY, ON THE RECENT TRAGIC ROAD ACCIDENT AROUND JUASO ON THE ACCRA – KUMASI HIGHWAY.

Urgent Call for Action on Road Safety Along the Accra-Kumasi Highway

July 31, 2025 – Asante Akim South Constituency

As the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim South, I stand with a heavy heart to address the tragic road accident that occurred on July 28, 2025, on the Accra- Kumasi Highway close to Juaso Junction. The devastating incident claimed the lives of 16 members of the Obogu Saviour Church, who were returning from an Annual youth Conference AT Osiem in the Eastern Region. Four others who are critically injured are receiving treatment at Juaso Government Hospital.

Mr. Speaker, the scale of this tragedy is unimaginable, particularly for the families of the Obogu Saviour Church. The Head Pastor and another parent lost three of their beloved children respectively. Other two (2) respective parents also lost two (2) children each. In all the entire congregation is currently mourning the 16 people, all vibrant youth aged between 4 and 21, taken in an instant on that fateful day.

On behalf of the good people of Asante Akim South, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Obogu Saviour Church, the Obogu Community, and the entire Constituency. This loss is devastating, and we mourn together as a community united in grief.

The accident was caused by a DAF XF Fuel Tanker with registration number GT 1674-17, was moving from Kumasi to Tema. On reaching the section where the accident occurred at the Juaso Water Works, the driver decided to overtake some vehicles ahead using the middle lane without due consideration to vehicles from the opposite direction. In the process, the left front tyre burst, and subsequently lost control of the steering wheel. This caused the Fuel Tanker Truck to crush into an oncoming Ford Transit Mini-Bus with registration number GT 4674-22, and claimed the lives of 16 passengers in the Mini-Bus.

This underscores a persistent and deadly problem on the Atwidie-Juaso stretch of the highway. Mr Speaker, it will be recalled that the following incidents previously occurred within that same stretch;

In April,2016, Mr. William Ocloo, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Shai Osu –Doku died in an accident within the same stretch
Six(6) years ago ,Mr Jerry Adjei of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football club fame died in a ghastly road accident around the same area
Again, on 6th August, 2021 a parliamentary convoy dispatch rider also died around the same place in a similar incident.

It is utterly unacceptable that this stretch continues to claim Lives through deadly accidents, and it is imperative that we take immediate and decisive action to address the safety concerns along the stretch.

According to recent statistics, deaths through road accidents in Ghana is on the ascendency rising from 1,237 in the first half of 2024 to 1,504 in the same period of 2025, representing a 21.6% increase. This trend is alarming and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to road safety. These are not just numbers; they are the heart and hope of families and their communities. We, in this House, hold the power to prevent and save lives.

I urge the government, the Ministry of Roads and Highways, and the National Road Safety Authority to act swiftly: install speed bumps, widen this deadly stretch, deploy traffic cameras, and launch public education campaigns. I propose a task force to be formed within an allocated timelines, to ensure these measures are implemented before more families suffer the same fate.

Mr. Speaker, our duty to the people of Asante Akim South, and all Ghanaians, is clear. How many more lives must we lose before we act? Let us honour the memory of these 16