Category: Daily Guide Network

A police investigator’s close relationship with a complainant (a foreign national) in a criminal trial has drawn sharp criticism from the Supreme Court (SC), which held that the officer showed a real likelihood of bias against two men who stood trial at the High Court in a $270,000 gold export scam case.

According to court documents, the police investigator admitted to seeing the complainant off at the airport and once said, ‘every potential caller is an ally.’

A five-member panel, presided over by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie with Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo delivering the lead opinion, dismissed the Republic’s appeal seeking to overturn the acquittal of Kwame Amponsah and Christopher Obareke on charges of conspiracy to defraud, defrauding by false pretence, and money laundering.

The other members of the panel were Justices Ernest Gaewu, Henry Kwofie, and Hafisata Amaleboba.

Finding

The court thought that Detective Chief Inspector George Kingsley Adu, the investigator who eventually handled the case, had grown notably close to the complainant, Roberto Maria Di Lorenzo, over the course of the investigation, even accompanying him to the airport when he left Ghana in December.

By contrast, the same officer treated the original investigator in the case, Chief Inspector Adaba, with suspicion, accusing him during cross-examination of running errands for the accused and giving testimony ‘full of inaccuracies and untruth.’

Justice Ackaah-Boafo held that this disparity, which is closeness to the complainant paired with hostility toward a fellow officer whose only ‘offence’ was reaching a different investigative conclusion, undermined the prosecution’s objectivity.

The court reminded prosecutors that they were ‘ministers of justice’ whose duty was to pursue the truth rather than secure a conviction, and cited Canadian authority for the principle that police and prosecutorial functions must remain independent of each other to avoid miscarriages of justice.

‘The duty of the Prosecution, as I understand it, has always been to uphold the administration of justice and to ensure that persons who have contravened the laws of Ghana are duly punished in accordance with due process. However, this duty is not an end in itself. It is circumscribed by the overriding obligation to act fairly, to pursue the truth rather than a conviction, and to place before the Court all material evidence, whether such evidence strengthens or undermines the Prosecution’s case.

‘My Lords, in my respectful opinion, in a criminal prosecution, the police, as investigators, must remain independent of the prosecutor, who represents the State. This is because the prosecutor must not align himself or herself with the police but must independently assess the investigation conducted by them.

‘In sum, in my view, it must be understood that the prosecutor is not an advocate for conviction but a minister of justice whose role is to seek the truth and assist the Court in the administration of justice. This duty must always be borne in mind,’ Justice Ackaah-Boafo stated.

Background

Amponsah and Obareke had been tried alongside five others, all still at large, over a 2015 transaction in which Di Lorenzo alleged he was defrauded of over $270,000 after being promised 200 kilogrammes of gold; however, only two kilogrammes were ever delivered.

The High Court convicted the two men in 2019, sentencing them to 24 months’ imprisonment with hard labour plus fines, but the Court of Appeal quashed the convictions in 2021, by which time they had already served their sentences.

Reasons

The Supreme Court found that the complainant’s absence from trial was fatal to the prosecution’s case, since the prosecution relied on hearsay evidence from an interpreter without proving the complainant was genuinely unavailable to testify.

The court also held the evidence tying the two respondents to a prior agreement to defraud the complainant was largely circumstantial, leaving open the reasonable possibility that the true culprits were among the co-accused who remain at large.

Although the court disagreed with the Court of Appeal’s finding that the absence of the original investigator alone was fatal to the case, it held this error did not change the outcome.

The appeal was accordingly dismissed and the acquittal affirmed.

Lawyer Sulley Sambian, the North East Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former CEO of Northern Development Authority (NDA), has declared his intention to run for the NPP North East Regional chairmanship.

Lawyer Sambian paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sherigah II, to inform him of his decision to contest the North East Regional NPP Chairmanship position and to seek his blessings.

He expressed deep respect for the Nayiri and the traditional institution, noting the important role traditional leaders play in promoting peace, unity and development.

He thanked the Nayiri and his leaders for the words of encouragement and invaluable counsel.

‘For me, this journey is bigger than an individual ambition. It is a call to service, a commitment to unite our Party, strengthen its structures, restore confidence among our grassroots and build a formidable NPP in the North East Region that is ready to recapture political power,’ he said.

The North East Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), assured that he would conduct an issue-based campaign.

‘As I begin this campaign, I remain committed to conducting myself with humility and respect and to running a peaceful, issue-based campaign that brings our Party together rather than divides us,’ he stated.

Lawyer Sambian pledged to provide visionary and inclusive leadership that will strengthen the NPP in the North East, foster unity among party members, and prepare the party for future electoral contests.

The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area gave Lawyer Sambian his blessings and urged him to conduct his campaign with humility, respect and peace.

He also called on all political actors to uphold unity and harmony before, during, and after the internal elections.

The NPP is scheduled to hold its North East regional executive elections on August 16, 2026.

There was a time when the highlight of a white wedding was the exchange of vows before God, family and friends. Today, however, that script appears to be changing. Many weddings appear to reach their climax not at the altar but on the dance floor, where choreographed entrances, viral dance routines and social media-worthy performances often steal the spotlight.

Across the country, a new generation of couples is redefining what a white wedding looks like. The church ceremony, once regarded as the emotional climax of the day, is increasingly overshadowed by a lavish reception featuring choreographed dance routines, cinematic entrances, designer fashion, fireworks and social media content creation. For many guests, the reception has become the ‘main event,’ while the church service serves merely as a prelude.

This shift is perhaps the most striking feature of the Gen Z wedding culture now sweeping across the country.

Modern couples spend weeks, and in some cases months, rehearsing dance routines with their bridal teams. The entrance into the reception has become a production in itself, complete with carefully selected music, synchronised choreography and dramatic lighting effects. Videos of these performances frequently trend on TikTok, Instagram and X, attracting hundreds of thousands of views within hours.

It is not uncommon for a wedding to become a national talking point – not because of the couple’s touching vows or inspiring love story, but because of an energetic dance performance or an extravagant entrance.

The influence of social media cannot be overstated. Weddings are no longer planned solely for those physically present; they are increasingly designed for audiences watching through smartphone screens. Every moment is curated to be ‘Instagram-worthy’ or ‘TikTok-ready.’ Couples hire drone operators, wedding content creators and social media managers whose sole responsibility is to produce short-form videos almost immediately after the ceremony.

Professional photographers and videographers are no longer enough. Today’s weddings often feature content creators who move alongside the couple, capturing behind-the-scenes footage, recording trending audio clips and producing edited reels before the reception even ends. In many instances, the first viral video appears online before some guests have left the venue.

The result is that the wedding becomes both a private celebration and a public performance.

The transformation extends far beyond videography. Bridal parties have evolved into carefully coordinated ensembles. Bridesmaids and groomsmen rehearse dance routines, wear matching designer outfits and participate in elaborate entrances that sometimes rival those of the bride and groom themselves. Instead of serving merely as witnesses, they become performers contributing to the overall entertainment.

Fashion has also taken centre stage. Many brides now wear multiple outfits during a single wedding day, which is a traditional church gown for the ceremony, an elaborate reception dress and another outfit for the after-party. Grooms similarly switch from tuxedos to tailored kaftans or designer suits as the celebrations progress. Each wardrobe change provides another opportunity for photographs, videos and online engagement.

The pursuit of visual excellence has given rise to celebrity-style productions. Luxury vehicles, indoor fireworks, LED dance floors, smoke machines and sophisticated lighting have become common features of high-profile weddings. In some exceptional cases, horse-drawn carriages or helicopters are incorporated to create unforgettable entrances.

Pre-wedding activities have also become productions in their own right. What was once a simple photo session has evolved into cinematic storytelling involving multiple locations, costume changes, scripted scenes and drone footage. These productions are often released days or weeks before the wedding, generating anticipation similar to the promotion of a movie premiere.

Technology has further transformed the guest experience. QR-code invitations have replaced many traditional invitation cards. Weddings now feature customised hashtags, Instagram filters and live streaming for relatives abroad. Guests are encouraged to share photos using official hashtags, ensuring that the celebration trends online throughout the day.

This digital culture has created a booming wedding economy. Event planners, decorators, fashion designers, make-up artists, drone operators, MCs, DJs, content creators and social media editors have all found new opportunities in the expanding wedding industry. Weddings have become major economic events supporting thousands of livelihoods.

Yet beneath the glamour lies an important question.

Has the celebration begun to overshadow the purpose of the celebration?

Some observers argue that weddings increasingly resemble entertainment concerts rather than sacred ceremonies. Dance competitions, comedy performances, singing acts, flash mobs, games and audience participation often dominate the reception programme. Guests sometimes remember the choreography more vividly than the marriage vows themselves.

Others point to the growing pressure on young couples to stage extravagant weddings in order to meet social expectations or achieve viral success. The pursuit of the so-called ‘soft life’ has encouraged displays of luxury, including expensive décor, imported flowers, premium venues and designer fashion. Industry experts have warned that some couples stretch their finances beyond reasonable limits simply to project an aspirational lifestyle online.

Another concern is the changing perception of marriage itself. Academic research suggests that some younger couples increasingly regard the white wedding as the ‘real’ marriage, with the traditional engagement viewed merely as a preliminary step. While this reflects the influence of Western wedding traditions, it also raises broader questions about preserving Ghana’s own cultural heritage.

Still, it would be unfair to conclude that Gen Z has diminished the institution of marriage. Rather, this generation has embraced technology, creativity and visual storytelling to celebrate one of life’s most important milestones in ways previous generations never imagined.

Every generation reshapes tradition according to its own realities. Today’s couples simply happen to live in an era where moments are measured not only by memories but also by digital impressions, viral videos and online engagement.

The challenge, therefore, is not to reject innovation but to preserve perspective.

Dance, fashion and entertainment undoubtedly add colour to weddings. Social media allows loved ones across continents to share in joyous occasions. Creative productions provide lasting memories that couples will treasure for years.

However, when the choreography receives more applause than the covenant, when the reception commands more attention than the vows, and when viral content becomes more important than lifelong commitment, society must pause to reflect.

After all, a successful marriage is measured not by the number of views a wedding video receives, but by the enduring strength of the union long after the music has stopped, the cameras have been packed away and the hashtags have faded from the trending list.

More than 200 delegates from across Africa are expected to gather in Accra on July 24, 2026, for an international conference aimed at exploring strategies to accelerate the continent’s development through economic reforms, political transformation and deeper regional integration.

The conference, themed ‘Economic Restructuring, Political Reforms and Integration for Sustainable Development in Africa,’ is being organised by Harakati Za Muungano and will take place at the GNAT Hall in Accra.

Participants will include policymakers, academics, business executives, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth representatives and development partners from across the continent.

The organisers said the event would provide a platform for stakeholders to examine practical solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing development challenges and generate recommendations that can guide policy decisions at both national and regional levels.

Harakati Za Muungano, a Pan-African movement whose name translates from Swahili as ‘Union Movement,’ advocates greater African unity, economic transformation and governance reforms as key pillars for sustainable development.

According to the organisation, Africa’s abundant human and natural resources can be better utilised through stronger regional cooperation, increased intra-African trade and governance systems that prioritise long-term development objectives.

Since its establishment in November 2023, the movement has expanded its presence to 17 African countries. It has engaged governments, regional institutions, traditional authorities, professionals, youth groups and community organisations through policy advocacy, research, civic engagement and humanitarian programmes.

The conference will focus on a wide range of issues, including constitutional and governance reforms, economic restructuring, regional market integration, industrialisation and sustainable financing mechanisms for development.

Participants will also discuss governance continuity and policy frameworks designed to support long-term planning and economic growth across the continent.

A central theme of the conference will be the promotion of a more integrated Sub-Saharan Africa, where barriers to trade and movement are reduced and economic collaboration among countries is strengthened.

Organisers believe enhanced regional integration will create new opportunities for businesses, stimulate industrial growth, generate employment and improve Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy.

They further argue that closer cooperation among African states can support shared prosperity and help countries better address common economic and social challenges.

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Paul Afoko, says the party must rebuild trust with the business community if it hopes to regain political relevance.

Addressing a press conference in Accra to announce his bid for National Chairman, Mr. Afoko admitted that some policies under the NPP’s previous administration created hardship and uncertainty for businesses.

‘To the business community, I say this: the NPP must regain your trust. We know that mistakes were made. We know that some of you felt disappointed,’ he said.

Mr. Afoko argued that the NPP’s identity has always been tied to enterprise, innovation and wealth creation, and the party must return boldly to those principles.

He called for a ‘new prosperity agenda’ built on partnership with traders, farmers, manufacturers, artisans, transport operators, tech entrepreneurs and young start-ups.

‘The NPP remains the natural home of business. We must work with all key players in the economy to create jobs and drive national development,’ he stated.

According to him, restoring confidence will require more than promises. It will take policies that encourage investment, support entrepreneurship, and create real economic opportunities.

He concluded that the NPP’s future depends on convincing Ghanaians, especially business owners, that it is still committed to an economy driven by opportunity.

Portions of a United States Immigration Court’s ruling that granted former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, a permanent US residence has popped up amid a call by President John Mahama on him to return voluntarily.

Mr. Ofori-Atta is facing multiple allegations of corruption and related offences in Ghana for some decisions he took during his tenure as Minister for Finance under the Nana Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has initiated extradition processes through the Attorney General to have him extradited to Ghana to face the charges preferred against him.

Those efforts suffered a heavy blow when his lawyers confirmed last month that a US Immigration Court in Annandale, Virginia, had granted him a ‘Green Card,’ thereby making it further difficult to have him extradited to Ghana.

President Mahama, on July 17, urged Mr. Ofori-Atta to return voluntarily to Ghana to face the charges, noting that a failure to do so not only affects his reputation but that of his children and grandchildren. He assured the former minister a fair trial.

‘…But if he doesn’t come back, then it means he leaves a cloud of doubt over his head forever, and over his children and grandchildren. So, we’ll see how things play out,’ the President said.

The President’s appeal has however attracted criticisms from various quarters, with some suggesting that the President may not be aware of the US court’s reasoning and why the former Finance Minister may not return under this current government.

In the wake of the President’s comments and the ensuing criticism, portions of the US Court’s ruling surfaced on social media and online platforms, throwing more light on the court’s assessment of the charges levelled against Mr. Ofori-Atta.

While many agree that the US court cannot clear Mr. Ofori-Atta of alleged criminal offences in Ghana, they acknowledge the court’s opinions on the processes initiated by the OSP and steps being taken to extradite him to Ghana.

The court found that the criminal charges that have been brought against the former minister by the OSP do not have any basis and are not credible.

‘You, by contrast, have testified credibly, presented significant evidence indicating that you were not engaged in criminal wrongdoing,’ the court said, while also finding that Mr. Ofori-Atta had established that ‘the positive equities in his case far outweigh any negative equities.’

The court further indicated that it carefully reviewed the OSP’s affidavit and found that the affidavit is lacking in any persuasive proof or evidence that Mr. Ofori-Atta engaged in any – has engaged in any criminal wrongdoing as alleged, as minister of finance or otherwise, or that he personally profited from his work as a government official in Ghana.

‘The lack of any persuasive evidence indicating any kind of criminal wrongdoing or criminal conspiracy involving the respondent in the OSP’s affidavit is powerful evidence,’ the court said.

The court further considered the fact that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has been in possession of the request for Mr. Ofori-Atta’s extradition for a significant period of time and yet no extradition complaint has been sought by the DOJ based on the request by Ghana and the OSP’s claim to prosecution.

‘And the court is not surprised, given that the court’s own review of the OSP affidavit does not indicate any persuasive evidence of any criminal wrongdoing by the respondent and also given the deletion of the red notice by the Interpol,’ it said.

The court added that Mr. Ofori-Atta had established that he is entitled to adjustment of status, and subsequently granted the request for permanent residence.

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign England international Morgan Rogers in a club-record transfer worth £117 million, with the deal now entering its final stages.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to sign a six-year contract until 2032, with the option of an additional year. Personal terms have already been agreed, while a medical has been scheduled for Monday.

Rogers is understood to have chosen Chelsea ahead of Arsenal, with the opportunity to work under new manager Xabi Alonso and the club’s long-term project playing a key role in his decision.

Once completed, the transfer will become Chelsea’s most expensive signing, surpassing the £106 million paid to Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in 2023. It will also set a new British transfer record, eclipsing the £116 million Manchester City agreed to pay Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer.

The England international joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for an initial £7 million, with a further £8 million in performance-related add-ons. Middlesbrough are also set to benefit from a 20 per cent sell-on clause included in the deal.

Rogers has developed into one of the Premier League’s standout attacking midfielders, registering 31 goals and 29 assists in 125 appearances for Villa.

During the 2025-26 season, he contributed 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 matches, helping Villa secure UEFA Champions League qualification and win the UEFA Europa League.

The former Manchester City academy graduate earned his first England senior call-up in November 2024 and featured prominently during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including providing the assist for Anthony Gordon’s goal in England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina. He remains with the England squad for the third-place playoff against France.

Coalition of Elected Constituency Executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from the Greater Accra Region, have declared their support for the General Secretary of the party, Justin Kodua Frimpong, for his second term bid to be re-elected, citing major reforms undertaken by the party under his leadership.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Spokesperson for the group, Emmanuel Kwabena Opoku Adjei, said the General Secretary upon assumption of office had initiated plans for continuous organisational assessment, nationwide training of party officers and targeted interventions in weak constituencies.

He said under his leadership, the party has provided constituency project database, initiated structured campaign planning, continuous monitoring of government performance as well as executed evidence-based political strategy.

Mr. Opoku Adjei, who is also the Secretary for the Ablekuma Central Constituency, said calls by some group of people for the General Secretary to resign does not reflect the views of newly elected leaders in the various constituencies.

He said Mr. Kodua Frimpong recently completed the party’s constituency executive elections, which involved more than 100,000 delegates and candidates across 276 constituencies, steering the affairs of the party through constitutional reforms, presidential and parliamentary primaries among others.

This, he explained is one of the largest internal electoral exercises undertaken by the party and was successfully coordinated by the National Secretariat under the leadership of the General Secretary.

According to him, despite the financial challenges facing the NPP as an opposition party, the National Secretariat ensured that security personnel, electoral officials and logistical arrangements were adequately catered for, even though delegates did not receive transportation, feeding or travel allowances.

The group further argued that replacing the General Secretary at this stage would interrupt ongoing reforms and delay preparations for the 2028 general election and, therefore, appealed to delegates of the party to cast their votes at the upcoming National Annual Delegates Conference in Kumasi, on September 19, based on Mr. Kodua Frimpong’s track record of reforms within the party.

‘As a coalition, we unanimously endorse Mr. Kodua’s re-election bid and urge delegates in all the 16 regions across the country to support a vision of continuity, stability and victory for the NPP in 2028,’ he added.

July is National Mentoring Month and Saturday, July 18, 2026marks National Mentoring Day, a national platform to amplify the importance of mentorship, celebrate mentors and highlight the role of mentorship in personal growth, career development, and entrepreneurship.

This year’s event is hosted as a Webinar via Zoom: Zoom Meeting Link: https://lnkd.in/dgUg6k3d , Meeting ID: 337 573 4817 Passcode: Mentorship, happening on 18th July, 2026 at 6pm -8pm.

Since its launch in 2018, National Mentoring Day has grown into nationwide programs impacting 1,000+ individuals and businesses directly, and reaching 5,000+ more through schools and regional events across Ghana.

This year, the movement scales through the MentorXi platform http://www.mentorxi.app, which uses smart algorithms to match mentees with mentors based on career goals and vision. The goal is to empower one million youth and business startups through accelerated mentorship by 2030.

Mr. Atsu Geraldo de Lima, the Convener of National Mentoring Day, stated that as the nation marks National Mentoring Day, it is a reminder that the future of Africa rests on the quality of leaders being nurtured today.

He noted that under the theme ‘Mentorship, Leadership, and Service: Shaping the Next Generation of African Leaders,’ this year’s conference would bring together policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and youth advocates to recommit to intentional mentoring as the bridge between potential and impact.

He expressed the hope that every participant would leave not just inspired, but equipped and accountable – to mentor one person, to serve one community, and to help build institutions that produce value-driven leaders. He added that when people invest in people, they invest in the continent.

This year’s celebration is a bold initiative designed to empower destinies and transform lives. We are honored to host a distinguished lineup of resource persons, including:

– Dr. Charles J. Buckman, Founder, Charles Buckman Foundation

– Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Founder, Worldwide Miracle Outreach

– Mohammed Saani Adams (Hajj), Director, Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment

– Ibrahim Kwame Asante, Founder, Significant International Training Systems (SITS) and Coordinator, Technology Transfer, Commercialization Directorate, CSIR Head Office

– Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Director, GhanaThink Foundation

– Rev. Albert Ocran, Technical Director, Springboard Road Show Foundation

– Dr. James Owusu, CEO, Lyden Educational Consultancy, UK

The event will also feature a vibrant team of experts including:

-Mr. Peter Adetor, Team Lead, African Startups and SMEs in Export and Trade Secretariat (ASSETS)

– Sylvia Senu, Development Consultant

– Bekere Amassoma, Oracle Academy Program Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa

– Josiah Kwesi Eyison, CVO and Innovation Strategist, iSpace Foundation, for the panel discussion, MC: by WH Kobina Adomadzi Longdon, Developer and Chief Executive, TECHFARM Hub; Executive Convenor, AfCFTA Campus Connect; President, United Nations Youth Association – Ghana (UNYA-GH) and moderated by Ms. Emmaline Datey, CEO, ICS Africa.

Beyond this date, the project will witness regional mentorship tours to selected tertiary and senior high institutions in the greater, Ashanti and western regions, with the aim to empower students for excellence in life.

The initiative is supported by partners including GhanaThink Foundation, ICS Africa, UN Youth Association Ghana, Rotaract Ghana, Merit Accra, Ispace Foundation, and the hub networkand corporate institutions.

How much money can a pothole take from you?

For many motorists, the answer is painfully familiar: a burst tyre, a bent rim, damaged shock absorbers, twisted ball joints, worn-out suspension components, misaligned steering, cracked windscreens and expensive repair bills.

Sometimes, it is far worse – a life cut short or a family left to mourn because a driver swerved to avoid a crater on the road or lost control after hitting one at high speed.

Across Ghana, potholes have become more than an inconvenience. They have evolved into silent killers and an enormous economic burden on both individuals and the nation.

Every day, thousands of commuters and commercial drivers navigate roads that have deteriorated into obstacle courses, risking lives and property simply to reach their destinations.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than on sections of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, Ghana’s busiest and most economically significant road corridor. Stretching from the nation’s capital to the Ashanti Region, the highway serves as the backbone of commerce, connecting ports, industries, markets and communities. Yet, several sections have become riddled with potholes, deep gullies and uneven surfaces that pose serious danger to motorists.

A journey that should be smooth and predictable has become a frustrating exercise in dodging craters. Drivers weave from lane to lane in search of safer patches of asphalt, often creating dangerous situations for oncoming traffic. At night, when visibility is poor, the risks multiply.

For commercial drivers, every pothole translates into additional operating costs. Tyres wear out prematurely. Wheel alignments become frequent necessities. Suspension systems fail earlier than expected. Fuel consumption increases because drivers must constantly brake and accelerate around damaged sections. These costs are eventually passed on to passengers and consumers through higher transport fares and increased prices of goods.

Private vehicle owners are no better off. A single encounter with a deep pothole can destroy a tyre worth thousands of cedis or damage a vehicle’s suspension system, requiring repairs that many households can scarcely afford. For low-income families already struggling with the rising cost of living, such unexpected expenses can upset carefully planned budgets.

But the true cost of neglected roads cannot be measured only in cedis.

Lives are being lost.

Road crashes associated with poor road conditions continue to claim innocent victims. While speeding, reckless driving and human error remain major causes of accidents, deteriorating road surfaces significantly increase the likelihood of crashes. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes may collide with other vehicles, pedestrians or roadside objects. Motorcyclists and cyclists are especially vulnerable, as even a relatively small pothole can throw them off balance with fatal consequences.

Those who survive often suffer life-changing injuries that require prolonged medical treatment, rehabilitation and financial support. Families bear emotional trauma while the nation shoulders additional healthcare costs and loses productive citizens.

The economic implications extend far beyond vehicle repairs and hospital bills.

Hours of productivity are lost daily as motorists slow down to navigate damaged roads or become stranded after mechanical breakdowns. Goods arrive late at markets. Businesses miss deadlines. Emergency services face delays. Employees spend additional hours in traffic instead of at work. These cumulative losses reduce national productivity and undermine economic growth.

For a country seeking to position itself as a regional hub for trade and investment, deteriorating road infrastructure sends the wrong signal. Efficient transportation is essential for attracting investment, supporting manufacturing and facilitating agricultural trade. Poor roads increase the cost of doing business and reduce Ghana’s competitiveness.

One of the most troubling aspects of the situation is the apparent lack of urgency.

Many of these potholes did not appear overnight. They often begin as small cracks that could have been repaired quickly and inexpensively. Left unattended, however, rainwater seeps beneath the pavement, weakening the road structure until entire sections collapse into dangerous craters. What could have been resolved through routine maintenance eventually requires costly reconstruction.

Preventive maintenance remains one of the most cost-effective approaches to preserving road infrastructure. Unfortunately, maintenance frequently receives less attention than new road construction, even though protecting existing investments is just as important as creating new ones.

Motorists continue to ask the same question: Who is responsible?

Whether it is the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Urban Roads, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies or road contractors, the public expects timely intervention before roads deteriorate beyond acceptable standards. Delays in repairs expose road users to unnecessary danger and increase the eventual cost of rehabilitation.

Citizens also have a role to play by reporting dangerous road conditions, exercising patience while repairs are undertaken and observing speed limits. However, responsibility ultimately rests with institutions entrusted with maintaining the nation’s road network.

The Accra-Kumasi Highway deserves immediate attention. As one of Ghana’s busiest transport corridors, its condition should reflect its strategic importance. Temporary patching of isolated potholes may provide short-term relief, but comprehensive rehabilitation of severely affected sections is urgently required.

Every day that these potholes remain unattended, motorists continue to pay the price – not only with damaged vehicles but also with lost income, wasted time, physical injuries and, in some tragic cases, their lives.

The question therefore remains: How much money can a pothole take from you?

The more important question is this: How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?

Ghana cannot afford to allow its roads to become monuments to neglect. Safe roads are not a luxury; they are a necessity for national development, economic progress and the protection of human life. Every pothole repaired is more than a maintenance exercise; it is an investment in safety, productivity and the future of the country.