Teacher spends 16 years filling potholes to help prevent road crashes

A Physical Education and Health teacher at Jachie-Pramso Senior High School, Samuel Badu Dauda, has spent the past 16 years voluntarily filling potholes along the Mankranso-Tepa-Sunyani Road in a bid to reduce road crashes and save lives.

According to a report by adomonline.com on July 8, 2026, Dauda has been repairing sections of the road with gravel, sand and laterite since 2009 after witnessing several accidents he believes were caused by the deteriorating condition of the highway.

He said the frequent loss of lives motivated him to take action rather than watch motorists continue to risk their lives on the road.

“When an accident occurs it kills people, and it is attributed to potholes or bad roads. So, I feel sad about [the situation]. Seeing people dying on this road because of accidents is why I have taken it upon myself as a responsible citizen to help avert such accidents,” he said.

The Tepa Ayinasuso native said he carries out the repairs after school using his own resources, stressing that the poor condition of the Mankranso-Tepa Road often forces drivers to swerve into the lane of oncoming vehicles or lose control of their steering wheels and crash.

He noted that the situation becomes more dangerous during the rainy season when potholes are filled with water, making them difficult for motorists to detect.

Dauda emphasised that his voluntary efforts are not intended to replace the responsibilities of government agencies but to help save lives while awaiting permanent rehabilitation of the road by the government and the Ghana Highway Authority.

“I am just one person, but if my little effort can prevent one accident, then it is worth it,” he said.

He also revealed that although some people initially questioned his motives and accused him of wasting his time, many changed their views after learning he is a teacher.

Potholes killing us, bring back youth in road maintenance module - GPRTU

However, he added that all donations received from drivers and other road users have been invested back into the project.

Dauda urged Ghanaians to embrace civic responsibility by helping to solve problems in their communities instead of relying solely on government.

“If you identify an issue in your community and you have the capacity to help, act on it. Do not wait for the government,” he appealed.

The teacher expressed gratitude to drivers, road users, the Tepamanhene, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem II, and presidential aspirant Tweneboah Koduah for their encouragement and support.

He is also appealing for additional tools and equipment to expand his pothole repair efforts.

Residents and commuters along the Mankranso-Tepa corridor have praised Dauda's dedication, saying his intervention has helped improve safety on the road, while calling on the government to undertake a permanent rehabilitation of the highway.

According to the report, road crashes claimed 1,009 lives in Ghana between January and April this year, with 4,899 crashes recorded nationwide during the period.

The Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 263 deaths.

MRA/VPO

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