As night falls over the nation’s capital, a cover of darkness descends on its streets — albeit not by design, but by neglect and complicity. From the Accra–Kasoa stretch through Mamfe to several parts of the Greater Accra enclave, streetlights that once illuminated the city’s pulse now stand as dead relics of urban decay.
Indeed, what was once a symbol of progress has now become a glaring testament to the city’s growing infrastructure crisis. It is important to state that the lack of functioning streetlights in Accra is no longer a mere inconvenience, but a full-blown public safety emergency, which requires more than mere lip service.
Every evening, motorists drive blind through poorly lit highways and narrow streets, their headlights barely cutting through the misery. Similarly, pedestrians move in fear, clutching their belongings and praying they reach home safely.
The N1 Motorway from Tetteh Quarshie to Mallam Junction, for instance, has become a stretch of peril where drivers rely solely on instinct. Equally, the same grim story unfolds along the Abelemkpe–37 corridor and in several neighbourhoods across the capital.
This darkness is more than physical; it represents the dimming of civic responsibility and the fading trust between citizens and those entrusted with their safety. Residents’ complaints have been loud and persistent, yet official response has been muted. In all this, criminal elements have found comfort in the shadows — muggings, thefts, and assaults have reportedly increased, feeding on the cover of night.
The city’s dimly lit roads have also become death traps, with rising accidents attributed to poor visibility. Experts have long argued that street lighting is not just about visibility — it is about security, mobility, and dignity. A well-lit street signals order, safety, and care. Conversely, darkness invites chaos, as research has shown that good street lighting can reduce night-time crime by nearly half and drastically cut down road accidents.
The science is clear; the question is why action remains elusive? We, on The Ghanaian Times, believe that city authorities must treat the streetlight crisis with the urgency it deserves.
It is not enough to install poles and bulbs; there must be a maintenance regime that ensures lights stay on, and enough security measures to ensure that thieves who steal copper wires from the streetlights are apprehended and dealt with according to the law.
Investment in modern solar-powered lighting systems could provide a more sustainable alternative, reducing dependence on erratic power sources. However, this can only be achieved if cable thieves are warded off. The city’s leaders must also adopt smart monitoring technology to detect faults and ensure accountability.
In the quest to attain a 24-hour economy, Accra must be a city that never truly sleeps. Its businesses, transport systems, and social life must thrive deep into the night.
It cannot afford to operate in darkness; as such, restoring light to the city’s streets is not just about illumination — it is about restoring safety, confidence, and the dignity of urban life.
The time to act is now — before the darkness claims more than just our visibility.
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