Concerns over vandalism of public infrastructure have deepened after a Dansoman Circuit Court sentenced a 48-year-old head porter, Yaw Asare, to two years’ imprisonment for damaging the newly constructed Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange in Accra.
The incident occurred on June 9, 2025, when Asare was apprehended for unlawfully destroying parapet beams and other accessories at the interchange, which had only recently been completed.
Following his trial, he was convicted of “causing unlawful damage” under Section 172 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29). He will serve his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
Reacting to the court ruling in a statement on Friday, August 22, the Ministry of Roads and Highways described the act as part of a disturbing trend of attacks on national road infrastructure.
“The Ministry has observed with deep concern the rapid rate at which some members of the public cause unlawful damage to road infrastructure, including vandalism and vehicular crashes, especially those involving traffic lights,” it said.
The Ministry emphasized that such acts are criminal and punishable by law, adding that offenders will be dealt with appropriately. “The Ministry will continue to work closely with the Ghana Police Service to ensure that anyone found unlawfully damaging public road infrastructure is held accountable and faces the full force of the law,” the statement stressed.
