Four (4) media organisations have renewed the call for a pedestrian footbridge on the N1 Highway through a meeting with the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah. This follows the growing safety concerns and the recent demise of a student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC),
In a joint communication by the following: Ghana News Online; Peace FM; Homebase TV and Pan African TV, the media expressed their intention to interview the Vice-Chancellor, with the objective of amplifying his appeal to government and private sector partners for funding to build the overpass.
In his address at both the 1st and 2nd Session of the 4th Congregation of UniMAC, the Vice-Chancellor made a passionate appeal to the government to consider building a foot bridge on the N1 to serve the UniMAC community and its environs. He made this in the statement that, “I therefore make this passionate appeal to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, through the well-meaning municipal authorities, security agencies, transport and road safety institutions, and the local government bodies, to review and implement enhanced road safety measures within and around our South Legon Campus. We need a footbridge to safeguard the lives of our students and the larger community, and to prevent future accidents.”
Journalists Engaging the Vice-Chancellor During the Press Interaction
The outreach comes after the January 19, 2026, hit-and-run that claimed the life of a Level 300 student, Nelson Blay Nokotey, near the Dzorwulu intersection. In response to the tragic accident, UniMAC students organised a candlelight vigil on January 23, urging authorities to install a dedicated footbridge close to the South Legon campus site.
It is worth noting that, traffic along the Dzorwulu-Lapaz corridor frequently exceeds the 70 km/h limit, with some vehicles recorded at 120 km/h. The closest safe crossing is about 400 metres away. As a result, many students risk crossing the busy highway to attend lectures at the UniMAC South Legon campus.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that a lot of education is ongoing on campus for students not to cross the NI. Unfortunately, access to the South Legon campus, using backroads can take up to thirty (30) minutes’ walks from the closest intersection at the Dzorwulu traffic lights. He further reiterated the fact that providing a footbridge is the responsibility of government bodies, local authorities, and the area’s Member of Parliament (MP), rather than the university itself. He indicated that students have also petitioned Ayawaso West Wuogon MP, John Dumelo, to push for immediate safety measures.
The media interview also covered the shortage of hostel spaces. With more students admitted each year, many live off campus and must navigate the busy highway each day. One Level 300 student, Eyram Dugbazah, told the Ghana News Agency that the crossing is both hazardous and delays attendance at lectures.
The renewed media attention is expected to add to the advocacy efforts to get authorities to address both the safety risks along the N1 and the growing accommodation challenges facing UniMAC students.