The Government of Ghana has pledged to pay the medical bills of all children injured in the devastating road crash involving a school bus and a tipper truck on the Dzorwulu–Accra Mall stretch in Accra. The announcement was made by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, during a visit to injured pupils receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Dr. Lartey conveyed the sympathies of President John Dramani Mahama and assured parents that the government would shoulder the financial burden of treatment. She said the priority is to ensure that families can focus on supporting their children emotionally while the government takes care of the medical costs.
The crash occurred on Thursday, July 30, when a tipper truck collided with a school bus carrying pupils. Several children sustained injuries of varying degrees and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Sadly, one of the injured pupils later succumbed to injuries, deepening the nation's grief over the incident.
During her visit, the Minister commended the doctors, nurses, and emergency responders who acted swiftly to save the lives of the children. She also praised the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and members of the public who assisted at the accident scene, describing their response as exemplary.
Dr. Lartey noted that investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing and assured the public that the appropriate authorities would establish the facts and ensure accountability where necessary. She added that government officials would continue monitoring the condition of the injured children and provide any additional support required during their recovery.
The tragedy has sparked renewed discussions about road safety, particularly the transportation of schoolchildren. Many road safety advocates have called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved vehicle inspections, and enhanced safety standards for school transport services to help prevent similar accidents in the future.
Parents, teachers, and members of the public have welcomed the government's intervention, describing it as a timely gesture that will ease the financial burden on affected families while ensuring the children receive the best possible medical care.
The government's decision to fully fund the medical treatment of children injured in the Dzorwulu school bus crash offers much-needed relief to affected families during a difficult period. As investigations continue, many Ghanaians hope the tragedy will lead to stronger road safety measures that better protect schoolchildren and other vulnerable road users.