Nearly all the street lights installed on the 19-kilometre Accra-Tema Motorway in 2021 have disappeared, with only a few damaged poles remaining. A recent Daily Graphic investigation revealed that the situation has left authorities in confusion, as the Ghana Highway Authority, Ministry of Roads and Highways, and Ministry of Energy point fingers at one another over responsibility for the missing lights. An insider from the Ministry of Energy cited a lack of proper maintenance and confusion over ownership between agencies as the primary cause.
The motorway falls under the jurisdiction of different local authorities, further complicating the issue. According to the Street Lighting in Ghana Policy Framework (2011), local metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) are responsible for maintaining street lights within their jurisdictions. However, contractors have also reported frequent theft of road infrastructure, including three transformers, during the installation process. This has made it difficult to maintain a consistent lighting system on the motorway.
Driving on the 19-kilometre stretch at night has become dangerous, with no street lights to provide the needed visibility. Even when two-thirds of the stretch had solar-powered lights installed three years ago, motorists complained of poor visibility, especially on the outer lanes. Street lighting is essential for pedestrian safety and reducing nighttime accidents, but the lack of lights has created a perilous environment for both drivers and pedestrians along the motorway.