-Following a Major Accident
By Shallon S. Gonlor | shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
A Ghanaian truck driver died on Thursday morning after his vehicle failed to ascend the steep Tonwin Hill along the Sanniquellie-Ganta highway in Nimba County. The accident marks the third truck-related incident on the dangerous slope this year and the first fatality since the road was paved.
The victim, identified only as Yakuba, was part of a convoy transporting steel beams from Ghana to Monrovia when his truck lost power while climbing the hill. An eyewitness from a nearby village, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said four people were in the truck when the driver struggled to navigate the incline.
Three passengers exited to place blocks behind the tires to prevent a rollback, but the vehicle slipped backward, trapping Yakuba inside. “The blocks couldn’t stop the truck, and the driver was the only one left inside when it rolled back,” the villager explained.
Emergency responders rushed Yakuba to George Way Harley Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival. Authorities at the Nimba County Police Detachment’s Traffic Division could not be reached for comment, as calls to the chief of traffic went unanswered.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of accidents on Tonwin Hill in 2025. Earlier this year, a truck carrying crushed rocks to Yekepa suffered a tire burst while descending the hill, though no fatalities were reported. In another case, a cocoa-laden truck veered off the road while attempting to climb the slope. While previous accidents resulted in only property damage, Yakuba’s death is the first recorded fatality on the hill since the Ganta-Sanniquellie road was paved.
Even before the road’s pavement, Tonwin Hill was notorious for accidents due to its steep gradient. The recent fatality has renewed concerns about road safety measures, including the need for better signage, speed controls, or structural improvements to prevent future tragedies.
Local residents and transporters are calling for increased enforcement of safety protocols, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles navigating the hazardous stretch. As investigations continue, Yakuba’s body remains at George Way Harley Hospital awaiting further procedures. No official statement has been released by the police or transport authorities regarding potential safety reforms.
