Streetlight campaign: Unlit highway puts SD Dombo University students at risk

The absence of functioning streetlights on the “Banja” and Dr Hilla Limann Streets to the campus of Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) at Bamahu, in the Upper West Region has created a hazardous environment for Students, particularly those who attend night classes.

All the streetlights from Konta, Bamahu, and the campus have been non-functional for several months, plunging the area into darkness, leading to concerns about safety, security, and accessibility.

According to students, the lack of streetlights has made the highway a treacherous route, with many reporting near-misses with vehicles and difficulty navigating the dark roads.

The situation has worsened in recent weeks, with students expressing frustration and fear for their safety. Sakina Abububakri, a level 400 student said they are sometimes compelled to depend on their phone lights and lights from nearby shops before they are able to move.

“The lack of functioning streetlights has also led to increased reports of crime, including robberies and assaults, along the highway and we are calling on the authorities to fix the streetlights to ensure our safety,” she sated.

“Actually, it is impacting my life both personally and academically negatively, because when we want to go and learn on campus in the night, is scary and you are afraid someone might attack you or even step on a snake,” said Eunice Bibinire, a level 300 student.

 

The local NUGS president of the school, Fauzia Zila Sidu, while shedding light on the impact of the non-functioning of the streetlights on the highway said it is contributing to surge in minor crimes and as well exposes students to danger mostly night studies.

On his part, the SRC President of the University, Festus Kwaku Ofosu indicated that he has had a taste of the impact himself as part of his over three years stay in the community as a student.

He said though they have informed the Regional Minister about the darkness nature of the area in an unofficial meeting, they are yet to see an action taken place.

On the part of safety regulators, the Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Mohammed Abdul–Samad described the situation as worrying and contributor to road carnages in the region.

He disclosed that in the first half of the year, thus January–June, his outfit recorded 55 cases of road accidents, with 14 deaths and 59 injuries.

Story By Ibrahim A. Wangara|3news.com|Ghana|

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