John Dumelo Vows Highway Protection Overhaul After UniMAC Student’s Death on N1

Introduction

Road safety remains a critical concern in urban centers, particularly in rapidly developing areas where infrastructure struggles to keep pace with traffic volume. In a tragic incident that highlights these systemic challenges, the death of a University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) student has sparked a renewed call for immediate safety interventions. This event occurred on the George Walker Bush Highway (N1), a major arterial road known for high-speed traffic and dangerous crossing points.

John Setor Dumelo, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has publicly pledged to spearhead a highway protection overhaul in response to this tragedy. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the incident, the specific road safety hazards involved, and the practical steps being proposed to prevent future fatalities. By examining the intersection of infrastructure planning, legislative responsibility, and pedestrian safety, we aim to provide a clear, educational overview of the current situation and the path forward.

Key Points

Background

The George Walker Bush Highway, commonly referred to as the N1, is a vital transport corridor in Accra, Ghana. It connects key suburbs and serves as a primary route for commuters traveling to and from the city center. However, as urban sprawl extends into areas like Dzorwulu and South Legon, the conflict between high-speed vehicular traffic and pedestrian accessibility has intensified.

The Victim and the Incident

The victim, Nelson Blay Nokotey, was a promising journalism student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), now part of UniMAC-IJ. The incident occurred on January 23, 2026, as Nokotey was returning home after visiting the college’s South Legon campus. He was struck while attempting to cross the highway near the Dzorwulu traffic light intersection.

The Location: Dzorwulu Intersection

The specific location of the accident is identified as a high-risk zone. The stretch between Dzorwulu and Lapaz is characterized by wide lanes and high traffic volumes. For students residing in South Legon or commuting from the Dzorwulu side, the lack of immediate, safe crossing infrastructure forces many to engage in dangerous jaywalking. Reports indicate that to reach a designated safe crossing point, a pedestrian would need to detour nearly 400 meters—a distance many deem impractical, leading to risky crossings across high-speed lanes.

Analysis

The death of Nelson Blay Nokotey is not merely an isolated accident but a symptom of broader urban planning and road safety challenges. Analyzing the factors contributing to this tragedy reveals several critical areas where systemic improvements are needed.

Infrastructure Deficits and “Desire Lines”

Urban planning relies on understanding “desire lines”—the paths pedestrians naturally take to reach their destinations. When infrastructure, such as safe footbridges or underpasses, is absent, pedestrians create their own paths, often with fatal consequences on high-speed roads. The N1 near the UniMAC South Legon campus exemplifies this gap. The absence of a dedicated footbridge forces students to navigate a road designed primarily for vehicles, prioritizing vehicular flow over human safety.

Speed Management and Enforcement

Speed is a decisive factor in the survivability of pedestrian collisions. Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) suggests that the risk of death increases significantly at impact speeds above 50 km/h. The Dzorwulu-Lapaz stretch is frequently reported for speeds exceeding the legal limit of 70 km/h, with some vehicles clocking 120 km/h. This excessive speed, combined with the unpredictability of pedestrian movement, creates a lethal environment. The analysis suggests that physical traffic calming measures are necessary to enforce compliance, as reliance on driver adherence alone is insufficient.

Legislative and Administrative Responsibility

John Dumelo’s response highlights the role of the Member of Parliament in bridging the gap between constituents and national agencies. While the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Department of Urban Roads are responsible for infrastructure, local MPs serve as advocates to expedite projects. The tragedy underscores the need for coordinated efforts between the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), the Ghana Highway Authority, and local municipal assemblies to prioritize safety audits of high-risk corridors.

Practical Advice

To address the safety concerns on the N1 and similar high-risk corridors, a multi-faceted approach involving immediate, medium-term, and long-term strategies is required. These measures aim to reduce vehicle speeds and provide safe passage for pedestrians.

Immediate Interventions (0-6 Months)

• Enhanced Illumination: Poor lighting contributes significantly to night-time accidents. Expanding the “Light Up Ayawaso West” initiative to cover dark spots along the N1 will improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians.
• High-Visibility Markings: Painting clear zebra crossings with high-visibility thermoplastic paint can alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians, even in the absence of a bridge.
• Temporary Marshals: During peak student movement hours (early mornings and late afternoons), traffic marshals or police officers should be stationed at the Dzorwulu intersection to manage flow and deter speeding.

Medium-Term Infrastructure (6-18 Months)

• Installation of Rumble Strips: Placing physical speed bumps or rumble strips approaching the Dzorwulu intersection forces drivers to reduce speed. These tactile auditory warnings are effective in slowing traffic without causing complete stops.
• Speed Limit Signage and Cameras: Installing prominent digital speed limit signs and speed cameras can act as deterrents. Data from these cameras can also inform enforcement strategies.
• Refuge Islands: Constructing median refuge islands allows pedestrians to cross one lane of traffic at a time, significantly reducing the risk compared to crossing a multi-lane road simultaneously.

Long-Term Solutions (18+ Months)

• Pedestrian Overpass/Footbridge: The ultimate solution for the UniMAC South Legon vicinity is a dedicated footbridge. This eliminates conflict between vehicles and pedestrians entirely. The feasibility study for this structure should be prioritized by the Department of Urban Roads.
• Road Diet or Lane Narrowing: Engineering studies could explore narrowing the lanes on the N1 in this specific zone. Narrower lanes psychologically encourage drivers to slow down, a technique known as “traffic calming.”

FAQ

Conclusion

The untimely death of Nelson Blay Nokotey serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety infrastructure in urban Ghana. While the tragedy has left the UniMAC community in mourning, it has also catalyzed a commitment to change from local leadership. John Dumelo’s vow to overhaul highway protection in Ayawaso West Wuogon is a critical step toward ensuring that pedestrian safety is not an afterthought but a priority in urban planning.

Moving forward, the collaboration between legislative bodies, road safety authorities, and community stakeholders will be essential. By implementing a combination of immediate traffic calming measures and long-term infrastructure projects like footbridges, the N1 can be transformed from a hazard into a safe corridor. The goal is clear: to honor the memory of lost lives by ensuring that no other student or resident faces the same peril when navigating their daily commute.