The Dansoman Circuit Court has sentenced Yaw Asare, a 48-year-old head porter, to two years’ imprisonment for unlawfully damaging parts of the newly constructed Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange in Accra.
Asare was arrested on June 9, 2025, for destroying parapet beams and accessories on the interchange and was later convicted of “causing unlawful damage,” contrary to Section 172 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29).
The Ministry of Roads and Highways, reacting to the development, reminded the public that damaging public infrastructure is a criminal offence and warned that it would continue to work with the Ghana Police Service to ensure offenders are prosecuted.
However, destroying or vandalism of road infrastructure is beyond its criminal implications, its imposes a heavy financial toll on the state.
Repairing or replacing damaged road components such as traffic lights, barriers, and culverts often diverts resources earmarked for new road projects.
For instance, the cost of restoring damaged beams or fittings on major interchanges runs into hundreds of thousands of cedis.
Such expenditures strain the national budget, leaving fewer funds available for road expansion, maintenance, and other critical development needs.
Public infrastructure, experts stress, is funded by taxpayers and built to serve millions of commuters and businesses.
When individuals vandalise or damage these facilities, the entire nation bears the cost of replacement, delaying progress and undermining efficiency in the transport sector.
Asare’s sentencing is expected to serve as a deterrent to others, reinforcing the call for citizens to take responsibility in safeguarding public infrastructure and reducing the financial burden on government expenditure.
