Driving at night through most streets in the nation’s capital has become hellish due to malfunctioning streetlights and the absence of proper road markings.
Once brightly lit avenues that offered a sense of safety and direction have turned into virtual death traps, as many of the lights have been vandalised, knocked down by speeding vehicles, or stripped of their copper cables by thieves.
The situation has plunged large sections of Accra into darkness, forcing motorists and pedestrians to navigate poorly lit or completely dark roads.
This has not only made night-time driving extremely difficult but has also increased the risk of accidents and crime in several communities.
From Tema, Cecilia Yada Lagba reports that less than a year after the inauguration of the $91 million Tema Motorway Interchange, the facility is already showing signs of deterioration due to rampant theft and vandalism of electrical components and street furniture by unknown individuals.
The vandalism has rendered several traffic and streetlights non-functional, posing grave danger to motorists and residents, especially at night.
The Project for the Improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout was funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to rehabilitate and expand a 19.5-kilometre stretch into a modern 10-lane divided highway.
Phase One, supported by a $57 million grant, began in February 2018 and was commissioned in June 2020. Phase Two, funded with an additional $27 million, commenced in July 2022 and was inaugurated in December 2024 to ease traffic congestion at the five-legged Tema intersection.
However, less than a year after its commissioning, the project is already in urgent need of maintenance following the rampant theft of electrical cables and fixtures.
Some drivers who ply the motorway have expressed deep concern about the increasing number of non-functional traffic lights and streetlamps, warning that the darkness and poor visibility could lead to fatal accidents and insecurity.
“It’s really worrying. Some portions of the motorway are completely dark now. We no longer feel safe driving at night because there are no lights, and the traffic signals are not working,” one driver lamented.
The Tema situation reflects a broader challenge of streetlight vandalism and theft across the Greater Accra Region.
Cliff Ekuful reports that from the Ayi-Mensah Toll Booth through Adenta to the University of Ghana, Legon stretch, almost all the streetlights have broken down.
Some poles have been knocked down by vehicles, while those still standing remain unlit, plunging the entire 15-kilometre stretch into darkness.
Similarly, the Awoshie–Baah Yard to Ablekuma Highway faces the same problem.
Except for the traffic light at the N1 intersection, all other traffic and streetlights along the stretch from Baah Yard to Anyaa-Ablekuma are non-functional, leaving the road in total darkness.
Residents say the malfunctioning of the traffic lights, particularly the one near Odorgonno Senior High School, poses a major safety concern, endangering the lives of students who cross the road daily.
Even the solar inverters installed to provide constant power for the street and traffic lights have been vandalised or stolen by cable thieves, leaving motorists straining to see through the dark.
Stephanie Birinkorang reports that the situation along the Graphic Road, Kaneshie, and Mallam–Kasoa stretch is no different.
Once brightly illuminated roads that ensured safety at night have now descended into darkness, reflecting the city’s growing struggle to maintain essential public infrastructure.
Nearly all the streetlights at the new Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange are out of order, leaving the entire area engulfed in darkness.
In other parts of the capital — including the North Industrial Area, Feo Oyeo Road, and sections of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange — streetlight cables have been cut off, plunging vast areas into darkness.
Motorists say driving through these areas after dark is not only unsafe but also terrifying, as visibility is poor and criminal activity has increased.
Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mrs Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku, has expressed deep concern about the disturbing trend, describing it as a major setback to government efforts to enhance safety and beautify the capital.
“We are losing about 20 per cent of the fixed streetlights to theft. This is unacceptable and a major setback to government’s effort to improve infrastructure in our communities,” she lamented.
Emphasising the importance of public lighting, Mrs Ocloo stated:
“Streetlights are critical for safety, security, and the vibrancy of our communities. Lighting is not merely infrastructure — it is a matter of public safety, urban order, and a key enabler of the 24-hour economy being pursued by government.”
She disclosed that through engagements with the Ministry of Energy, the region had secured 3,000 new streetlights to restore illumination in affected areas.
“Every Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly will receive 100 streetlights for immediate installation. Let me be clear — you have two weeks only to ensure that every single one of those lights is fixed. No excuses, no delays. I will personally monitor this directive, and any Chief Executive who fails to comply will be reported,” she warned.
The Minister also appealed to residents to protect public infrastructure and collaborate with security agencies to identify and report individuals involved in the theft and vandalism of public assets.
“Government is investing heavily to make our communities safer and more functional. We must all play our part to protect these assets for our collective benefit,” she stressed.
When contacted, the Director of Communications at the Ghana Highway Authority, Mr Cecil Obodai Wentum, expressed worry over the constant theft of electrical cables and other streetlight components, describing it as a persistent and costly menace that undermines the government’s infrastructural investments.
With darkness now covering major roads and highways, many residents and commuters fear that unless urgent measures are taken, the capital’s once vibrant nightscape could fade entirely — leaving behind a city in danger and neglect.
BY TIMES REPORTERS
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