The death toll from the devastating multiple-vehicle crash at Ofankor Barrier on the Accra–Nsawam Highway has risen to 12, with 22 other people injured and receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The fatal accident occurred at about 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, along the Ofankor–Pokuase stretch, leaving several vehicles severely damaged and commuters shocked by the scale of the disaster.
According to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), seven vehicles were involved in the crash. They included two tipper trucks, two Sprinter buses, two saloon cars and a tricycle popularly known as an “aboboyaa.”
12 confirmed dead, 22 injured
The NRSA has confirmed that the number of people who have died in the crash has increased to 12.
Felix Owusu, Senior Planning Manager at the NRSA, disclosed that 22 injured victims are currently receiving medical attention.
Of the injured persons, 19 are being treated at Asofa Hospital, while three others are receiving treatment at Achimota Hospital.
The casualty figures changed throughout Thursday as authorities continued assessing the situation and receiving updates from the hospitals.
Initial reports had put the death toll at five before subsequent updates increased the figure to 11 and eventually 12 confirmed deaths.
How the Ofankor Barrier accident happened
Preliminary information from the NRSA suggests that a broken-down tricycle may have started the chain of events that resulted in the deadly crash.
According to the account provided by Felix Owusu, the tricycle had reportedly broken down on the highway. A tipper truck carrying sand then stopped behind it.
Two Sprinter buses carrying passengers subsequently stopped behind the tipper truck, creating a line of vehicles on the road.
Another tipper truck later approached the stationary vehicles at high speed and crashed into the vehicles ahead.
The impact reportedly triggered a chain reaction involving the other vehicles, resulting in the devastating pile-up.
However, the NRSA has stressed that this remains a preliminary account and should not be treated as the final cause of the accident until the police investigation is completed.
Seven vehicles involved in the crash
The scale of the accident was significant, with seven vehicles involved.
They were:
- Two tipper trucks
- Two Sprinter buses
- Two saloon cars
- One tricycle
The crash occurred between the Ofankor Barrier and the John Teye enclave, a busy section of the Accra–Nsawam corridor.
The early-morning timing of the crash also meant that the road was being used by commercial vehicles and other motorists travelling between Accra and communities along the highway.
Curve on the road raises safety concerns
The NRSA’s preliminary assessment also points to the location of the incident as a possible factor.
Felix Owusu explained that the vehicles were close to a curve, potentially giving an approaching driver limited distance to react to the obstruction ahead.
The combination of a stationary vehicle, the curve and the alleged speed of the approaching tipper truck may therefore have contributed to the severity of the collision.
Authorities, however, are yet to establish the official cause of the crash.
15-year-old reportedly among severely injured victims
Earlier reports on the crash indicated that 13 people were severely injured, including a 15-year-old who reportedly lost both legs in the accident.
Those reports came before the NRSA’s later update confirming that 22 injured victims were receiving treatment.
The differing figures reported at different stages highlight the ongoing nature of the casualty assessment as authorities and medical facilities continue to account for victims.
Police and NRSA investigating
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service is expected to play a key role in determining exactly what caused the crash.
The NRSA has indicated that it is awaiting the police’s full investigation before drawing definitive conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The Authority has also raised concerns about road safety and the need for motorists to exercise greater caution, particularly on busy highways.
The NRSA has reminded motorists of statutory speed limits of 90 km/h on highways, 50 km/h in urban settlements and 30 km/h in built-up areas.
Growing concern over Ofankor road safety
The latest tragedy has renewed concerns about road safety along the Ofankor corridor.
The accident comes at a time when authorities and road users continue to grapple with crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles, commercial buses and vehicles that develop mechanical faults on major highways.
The NRSA has stressed the importance of proper vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness checks, noting that mechanical failures combined with excessive speed can increase the risk of fatal crashes.
Families mourn as Ghana awaits answers
As the investigation continues, families of the deceased are being confronted with the devastating consequences of the crash, while relatives of injured victims remain at hospitals awaiting updates on their conditions.
The incident has once again brought the issue of road safety into sharp focus and raised questions about how broken-down vehicles are protected on busy highways, how quickly hazards are removed from roads and whether motorists are adhering to speed limits.
For now, authorities are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the Ofankor Barrier accident, while the nation mourns the 12 people confirmed dead and prays for the recovery of those injured.
