By Darroll Allan Tagoe
Residents of Anyaa Palace Town, a suburb of Accra near Awoshie, staged a massive demonstration early this morning to demand the immediate repair of a non-functional traffic light at the School Junction intersection.
The malfunctioning traffic light, which has been left unattended despite repeated complaints, has led to a series of tragic accidents, including the deaths of school children and serious injuries to residents.
Expressing their frustration, residents blocked the major road that connects areas such as Ablekuma, Manhean, Nsakina, Odumase, and parts of Pokuase through Anyaa and Awoshie to the central business district. The blockage has resulted in severe traffic congestion, affecting commuters and businesses in the area.
Young men from the community, who were at the forefront of the protest, vowed to continue their demonstration until the authorities take immediate action to fix the traffic light. They used materials such as car tyres, wooden planks, and scrap metals to block the road, making it difficult for vehicles to pass through.
The local police, whose station is just a five-minute walk from the protest site, struggled to contain the large crowds. As a result, the Regional Police Command dispatched a team of riot control officers to assist the overwhelmed local police in maintaining order. Several other police teams from neighboring areas were also sent to the scene to help manage the situation until the arrival of the regional riot control team.
The protest highlights the growing frustration among residents over the perceived neglect of their safety concerns by authorities. Many hope that this demonstration will finally prompt the necessary action to address the issue and prevent further accidents.
GTV Breakfast Show’s Darroll Allan Tagoe reported live from the scene and filed this eyewitness report.
