The Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Emmanuel Tobbin, has called for a nationwide maintenance and repair programme for malfunctioning traffic lights, warning that broken signals are increasingly endangering pedestrians and motorists across the country.
Delivering a statement on the floor of the Parliament of Ghana on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the legislator said the growing number of damaged and non-functional traffic lights has created dangerous conditions on Ghana’s roads, with his constituency serving as a clear example of the problem.
According to him, malfunctioning traffic lights have become common across major intersections, causing traffic congestion, confusion among drivers and exposing pedestrians—particularly schoolchildren and traders—to serious risk.
“Traffic lights play a critical role in regulating movement on our roads and ensuring the safety of all road users,” he told the House, adding that when these systems fail, they create chaos at busy junctions and make pedestrian crossings extremely dangerous.
He noted that while the problem is nationwide, the situation in Anyaa-Sowutuom has become particularly worrying, with several communities experiencing persistent failures of traffic signals that have contributed to accidents and growing frustration among residents.
The MP referenced recent demonstrations by residents at Awoshie Abrantie and Anyaa Last Stop, where community members protested over road safety concerns. According to him, the protests reflect widespread anxiety among residents who struggle daily to cross busy roads amid speeding vehicles and the absence of reliable traffic control systems.
Mr. Tobbin emphasized that the situation is especially dangerous for vulnerable groups such as schoolchildren, the elderly and traders who rely on safe road crossings for their daily activities.
He further drew attention to the urgent need for pedestrian footbridges at Odorgonno and Ablekuma Park, areas he described as major traffic corridors with heavy vehicular movement.
Without such infrastructure, he explained, many pedestrians are forced to cross high-speed roads on foot, exposing themselves to life-threatening risks. The MP warned that the absence of proper crossing facilities has already resulted in several accidents, including fatalities.
“To address these challenges, urgent interventions are required to protect road users and restore order at busy intersections,” he stated.
Among the measures he proposed was an immediate nationwide programme to repair broken traffic lights and establish a structured maintenance system under the supervision of the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Department of Urban Roads.
He also called for enhanced traffic management at high-risk intersections through the deployment of officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to regulate traffic where signals are not functioning.
In addition, the MP urged government to prioritise the construction of pedestrian footbridges at Odorgonno and Ablekuma Park to reduce the dangers faced by residents crossing busy roads.
Beyond infrastructure, Mr. Tobbin emphasised the importance of sustained public education on road safety to encourage both motorists and pedestrians to observe traffic regulations and use designated crossings.
He maintained that road safety should remain a national priority, stressing that malfunctioning traffic lights affect not just individual communities but the entire country.
“The safety of our roads affects every Ghanaian,” he said, urging relevant authorities to act swiftly to repair faulty traffic signals and implement long-term solutions to prevent future breakdowns.
The MP appealed government agencies responsible for road infrastructure and traffic management to treat the issue with urgency in order to protect lives and restore confidence among road users.
By: Christian Kpesese
