Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Explained

Country:GHA
Kwame Nkrumah Interchange
Other Names:Kwame Nkrumah Circle
Location:Accra, Ghana
Type:3 tier interchange

Kwame Nkrumah Interchange is a 3-tier interchange which was constructed to replace the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the centre of the city of Accra, Ghana.[1] It opened in 2016.[2] The interchange is named in honour of Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who was the leading figure during the country's fight for independence from Britain. Both the current and the old edifices remain iconic landmarks of Ghana's capital city, Accra.

History

The construction of the interchange became necessary when the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, which handles over 84,000 vehicles from the arterial roads and their intersections daily. The current roads could no longer ensure effective and efficient tackling of the traffic congestion challenges.[2]

On 3 June 2015, a GOIL fuel station near the interchange exploded killing at least 150 people.[3] The disaster was exacerbated by floodwaters which caused the fuel to spread as it floated and burned, killing additional people.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Accra Floods: Kaneshie Polyclinic shutdown . 2022-05-24 . Graphic Online . en-gb.
  2. Web site: President Mahama to cut sod on new three tier Kwame Nkrumah Interchange. myjoyonline.com. 28 October 2013.
  3. Web site: UPDATE: Disaster! Many dead in fuel station fire . www.graphic.com.gh . 4 June 2015 . 4 June 2015 . Baiocchi, Francisco.