Principal Research Scientist at the Building and Road Research Institute, Dr William Ackaah, has attributed the lack of functional traffic lights, street lights, and road markings to a disregard for safety concerns.

Speaking on JoyNews’ ‘The Probe,’ Dr Ackaah highlighted that these essential road components cost less than 10% of the total road construction budget. However, they are often neglected after the roads are built.

“I think we have to take safety seriously. For instance, street lights at night reduce the probability of fatal crashes significantly.

"Unfortunately, we don’t prioritise safety as a part of our culture. People are dying, and we are doing nothing about it,” he stated on August 4.

Dr Ackaah’s comments came after host Emefa Apawu visited major roads in the city centre, where she found faulty traffic lights, missing street lights, and absent road markings.

These deficiencies pose significant risks, especially to unfamiliar drivers.

Regarding traffic lights, Dr Ackaah noted the existence of a traffic management centre tasked with monitoring them.

However, he questioned whether these companies are adequately compensated to perform their duties.

He stated that despite the presence of institutions mandated to address these issues, little is being done, calling the situation “a shame and very disappointing.”