The Regional Police Command has identified the Winneba-Mankessim stretch, spanning approximately 49.9 kilometers along the Accra-Cape Coast Highway, as the most perilous road in the Central Region.

The authorities attribute the alarming rate of accidents during the 48-minute drive on this section to the poor quality of the road and frequent violations of road safety regulations by drivers.

Despite ongoing efforts such as sustained road safety education, speed checks, and police snap checks at strategic points, the situation remains a significant concern.

“Our challenge is that anytime Christmas is approaching, people are hesitant and afraid to travel because of road accidents,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Charles Kofi Adu, the Central Regional Commander, said.

"Our problem in the Central Region has been the stretch between Apam-Mankessim that has become an accident-prone area.”

DCOP Adu conveyed this message during a speech presented on his behalf at the Central Regional Coordinating Council meeting, which aimed to review past events and devise strategies for expedited development.

The gathering included metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives, presiding members, heads of decentralized departments and agencies, traditional and religious authorities, security agencies, and members of the media.

Despite highlighting the concerning state of the Winneba-Mankessim stretch on the Accra-Cape Coast Highway, DCOP Adu assured attendees that the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) in Cape Coast and Mankessim had heightened patrols to address the situation.

Furthermore, the Command has launched a road safety management strategy named "Traffic Check Ghana" with the goal of enhancing road safety education for commuters.

“Police officers will be on duty, particularly along the stretch before, during and after the Christmas festivities to maintain law and order,” he said.

DCOP Adu emphasized that the police would concentrate their efforts on deploying personnel to commercial centers and various public spaces. Additionally, they would be vigilant in monitoring state assets to ensure security and public order.

That was to ensure the safety and security of humans, communities, institutions, marketplaces, commercial centres, beaches, streets, churches, recreational centres, and hospitals, among other areas.

“There will be police physical presence at all the places to deter criminals. We are using foot and mobile patrols day and night,” he said. “The police have made public safety a top priority and will go all out to ensure that people feel safe as they go about their legitimate businesses during the festive season.”

DCOP Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, the Central North Regional Commander, characterized the Assin Fosu area as "relatively peaceful" and advised everyone to observe caution while celebrating the festivities.

He highlighted the effectiveness of police interventions, emphasizing that their success depended on the collaboration between law enforcement and the public.

DCOP Teye-Cudjoe stressed that effective crime prevention and detection relied on a shared responsibility between the police and the community they served, underscoring the importance of public support in maintaining the area's peace.

“While the police, with the support of the other security agencies, strive to guarantee the safety and security of everyone, it is important to note that personal security is the responsibility of every individual,” DCOP Teye-Cudjoe said.

“Individuals are to be alert and conscious of happenings in their environment and neighbourhood. Neighbours must be one another's keepers and report every suspicious criminal activity to the police for prompt action.”

DCOP Owusu Bempah, the Deputy Commander of the Central East Command, debunked the security myth associated with Kasoa as a crime-prone area. He highlighted that strategic security interventions had successfully demystified this perception.

While acknowledging that the area had faced challenges related to chieftaincy and land guard issues over the years, DCOP Owusu Bempah assured the public that the situation was now under control.

He urged residents to live in peace and reassured them that the police would continue their routine duties to enhance security in the area.