The University of Ghana, one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the country, has been plagued by a perennial problem that has claimed the lives of many students, particularly non-resident students who form a significant portion of the student body, and left several others injured. The malfunctioning traffic light at the Okponglo Junction, which is the main entrance to the university, has become a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash its fury on unsuspecting students.

The Anatomy of the Problem

The Okponglo Junction is a critical intersection that connects the university to the rest of the city. The traffic light, which is supposed to regulate the flow of traffic, has been malfunctioning for years, creating a chaotic situation that puts the lives of students, especially non-resident students who commute from various parts of the city, and other road users at risk. The traffic light doesn’t function at all, thus some police officers volunteer to regulate the movement of the traffic during the daytime but in the evening, no one regulates the traffic, leaving drivers and pedestrians confused and frustrated. This problem has persisted for almost five years now, and it appears the authorized government agencies have turned a blind eye to it.

THE HUMAN COST

The malfunctioning traffic light at the Okponglo Junction has claimed the lives of many non-resident students over the years. According to statistics, an average of three non-resident students are knocked down by cars every semester, with some cases resulting in fatalities. The university's authorities have tried to address the issue, but their efforts have been met with limited success.

Impact on Academic Performance

The malfunctioning traffic light has also had a significant impact on the academic performance of non-resident students. The constant fear of being knocked down and the stress caused by the chaotic traffic situation have led to a decline in the academic performance of many non-resident students. Non-resident students who are constantly worried about their safety are unlikely to focus on their studies, leading to poor grades and a decline in academic achievement.

CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM

Lack of maintenance. The traffic light has not been properly maintained, leading to frequent breakdowns and malfunctions.

Inadequate funding: The university authorities have not allocated sufficient funds to repair and maintain the traffic light.

Poor traffic management. The junction lacks proper traffic management, which exacerbates the problem.

Rapid urbanization. The rapid urbanization of the area has led to an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, which has put a strain on the existing infrastructure.

PROPOSED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Repair and maintenance: The traffic light should be repaired by the Ministry of Roads and Highways to ensure that it functions correctly for student safety

Installation of new traffic lights: We are pleading on the Ministry of Roads and Highways as a matter of urgency to install new traffic lights that are more efficient and reliable.

Permanent Police Check Point. We are pleading on the Ghana police service to station some police officers at the junction to ensure law and order on the road and also punish offenders on the road.

Education and awareness: Drivers and pedestrians should be educated on the importance of obeying traffic rules and regulations.

Provision of shuttles by the ministry of transport to bus non-residents to their various hostels at a fee. I am pleading with the minister for transport to collaborate with the university to provide shuttles to transport non-residents to their various hostels at a fee; this would even generate revenue for the school to manage and cater for other expenses. In conclusion, the malfunctioning traffic light at the Okponglo Junction is a ticking time bomb that requires immediate attention.

The university authorities, government agencies, and other stakeholders must work together to address the problem and ensure the safety of non-resident students and other road users. The solutions proposed above are just a few of the many measures that can be taken to address the problem. It is time for action, and we must act now to prevent further loss of life and limb.