The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has extended its deepest condolences following a horrific road traffic crash that claimed the lives of 16 people on Monday, July 28, 2025.

The tragic incident, which also left several others severely injured, occurred on the perilous Atwedie-Asankare stretch of the N6 Highway in the Asante-Akim District of the Ashanti Region.

The fatal collision involved a Ford Transit Bus with registration number GT 4674-22 and a DAF XF articulated tanker truck bearing registration number GT 1674-17.

The Obogu community held a mass burial ceremony for the 16 young members of the Saviour Church Youth Ministry who died in the tragic road accident.

The victims were returning from a church congress in Koforidua when the accident occurred.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fuel tanker heading towards Accra burst a tyre while overtaking another vehicle.

The tanker veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the Ford Transit bus transporting the youth.

"The Authority extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and Associations affected by this unfortunate event. We also wish those injured a speedy and full recovery," stated the NRSA in a press release issued from its Accra office.

This latest disaster contributes to an already worrying trend of increasing road fatalities across the country.

Data from the first half of 2025, released by the NRSA in collaboration with the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), revealed 7,289 road crashes nationwide resulting in 1,504 deaths between January and June 2025.

This translates to an average of more than eight lives lost daily, underscoring the severe public health crisis on Ghana's roads.

In response to this "rising trend of fatal crashes", the NRSA is now advocating for an intensified enforcement of road traffic regulations by the Police MTTD across the country.

The Authority is urging all motorists to strictly observe safety rules, including adhering to speed limits, ensuring their vehicles meet maintenance standards, and practising responsible driving.

"The safety of every road user remains a shared responsibility," the NRSA emphasised, highlighting the critical role of every individual in preventing accidents.

The NRSA further reiterated its ongoing commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders such as the Ghana Police Service, various transport unions, and civil society actors.

These partnerships are crucial for enhancing road safety interventions nationwide, which typically involve public awareness campaigns, driver training, and improving road infrastructure.

The Authority stressed its dedication to "safeguarding lives and reducing the frequency and severity of crashes on our roads."

As Ghana continues to grapple with the high incidence of road accidents, this latest tragedy on the N6 Highway serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for both stringent enforcement and collective responsibility to reverse the devastating trend of fatalities.