Ghanaian Ministers Airlifted After Northern Road Accident

Ghana’s Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and Deputy Minister Mohammed Adams Sukparu were airlifted to Accra for medical treatment after a road accident on the Tumu–Navrongo Highway in northern Ghana. The crash, caused when another vehicle crossed their path amid heavy dust, also injured the Education Minister’s driver and other convoy members. The ministers were en route to Tumu for Tumu College of Education’s 40th anniversary and are reported to be in stable condition.

Haruna Iddrisu, who serves as Ghana’s Minister of Education, and Mohammed Adams Sukparu, the Deputy Minister for Communication and Digital Technology, were urgently airlifted for advanced medical treatment following a serious road accident that took place in the northern part of Ghana. The accident occurred on Thursday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m. along the Tumu–Navrongo Highway, a major thoroughfare connecting sections of the Upper West Region and Upper East Region. The specific location of the crash was between the towns of Banu and Kunchokor, a stretch of road that is frequently used by both local commuters and government officials traveling between the regions.
Immediately after the collision, the injured ministers and other victims were given emergency treatment at a nearby local medical facility. Recognizing the severity of the injuries and the need for more comprehensive care, medical authorities arranged for the officials to be transported to Accra on a separate flight, where they could receive more specialized attention and monitoring. Medical officer Joshua Amikiya Ayariga, who personally attended to the victims at the initial treatment site, confirmed to the Ghana News Agency that the ministers and other injured individuals were in a stable condition and responding to medical care, offering reassurance to the public regarding their health status.
According to reports, the Education Minister’s driver, Alhassan Zakaria, suffered a fractured hand as a result of the accident, while other members of the convoy sustained injuries of varying severity. Despite the range of injuries, all affected individuals were responding positively to treatment. Sources familiar with the circumstances of the crash indicated that the accident occurred when another motorist suddenly crossed the path of the convoy. This unexpected maneuver, combined with heavy dust on the highway, caused the driver of the ministers’ vehicle to lose control, ultimately resulting in the collision.
At the time of the accident, the ministers and their delegation were traveling to Tumu to participate in the 40th anniversary celebrations of Tumu College of Education, an event of considerable significance for the educational community in the region. Bening Adamu Yakubu, the Municipal Chief Executive for Sissala East, explained that he received a distress call shortly after 11:00 a.m., informing him of the incident involving the government officials along the highway. Emergency responders and local authorities promptly mobilized to provide assistance, ensuring that the injured were safely evacuated and received necessary medical attention.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety along the Tumu–Navrongo Highway, highlighting the potential dangers posed by sudden vehicle maneuvers and environmental factors such as dust and limited visibility. Authorities are reportedly investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine contributing factors and implement measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. Meanwhile, the focus remains on the recovery and continued care of the injured ministers and other victims, with officials closely monitoring their progress and coordinating further medical support as needed.