Konko Cars : Hidden Health Risks Inside Ghana’s Commercial Vehicles


Everyday, thousands of Ghanaians rely on commercial vehicles, popularly known as trotro, to travel to work, school, markets and other destinations, but these vehicles are overdue for repairs, which needs to be fixed but are left to operate on roads putting commuters lives at risk to injuries. While road safety talks usually focus on reckless driving and bad roads, the health risks from damaged vehicles are often overlooked.  A visit to several transport terminals, like Accra-Tema station revealed that many commercial vehicles operate with worn-out interiors. Torn seat covers, expose rusty metal frames, damaged floors have jagged edges, and broken doors and windows leave passengers vulnerable to cuts and bruises. 

Unworthy  or unsafe road vehicle 

Although these defects may appear minor,commuters at the Accra-Tema station are been exposed to injuries and safety issues due to this konko cars, health experts warn they can have serious consequences,medical practitioners explain that cuts from rusty or dirty metal surfaces can expose passengers to bacterial infections if the wounds are not cleaned and treated promptly. Deep cuts may also require tetanus vaccination, particularly if a person’s immunisation is not up to date. Passengers with weakened immune systems, children and older adults are especially vulnerable to complications.


An interview with Dr.Samuel Tugah a health specialist at the Korle - by Teaching Hospital. He shed more lights on the risk of commuters or passengers boarding this rusted or rickety vehicles .which places passengers safety at risk and how the cuts or injuries are being infected.



An investigation by The Chronicle, drawing on engineering insights from lecturers at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) and medical expertise from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)https://thechronicle.com.gh/engineering-failure-how-ghanas-trotro-system-is-quietly-threatening-public-health/. The investigation reveals that many of these vehicles are retrofitted with poorly engineered, non-ergonomic seats that violate structural safety standards .Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, assistant lecturer in Automotive and Agricultural Mechanization Engineering at KsTU, further explain in the investigation done by The Chronicle that "the seats in most trotro are not designed to suit how the human body functions,”.

Worn-out interior of a Konko Car 

According to him, "Improperly engineered seating puts pressure on the spine, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage. Over time, this mechanical strain can manifest as chronic pain or degenerative spinal conditions.” Which puts commuters health at risk.


Rusted interior of a Konko Car 


As commercial transport remains the backbone of daily movement across Ghana, ensuring that vehicles are safe both mechanically and internally is essential. Addressing hidden hazards inside commercial vehicles could prevent avoidable injuries. And also reduce the risk of infection and improve the safety and comfort of millions of passengers who depend on public transport every day.

A Level 300 Production by Eunice Asiedu Bamfo 
 

10 Comments

  1. This is a very educative document about our current situation and health risk about commercial vehicles.

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  2. So all the money be collected by government on transport are still reluctant.

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  3. I don't know why the drivers don't care meanwhile people also board these cars since they don't have a choice 😐. This makes it iconic in Preventing human from danger.

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  4. It argues that while these vehicles are vital for affordable transport, they also create hidden dangers that authorities and commuters often overlook.

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  5. This cars are very risky and need to be banned by the government from operating.

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  6. Very interesting story, I am even a victim of these konko vehicles , it torn my clothes and left me with an injury. It's a very relatable story.

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  7. And if the government can banned this vehicles or offer them a loan to repair or renovate Thier vehicles it will be helpful, I think it might be because lack of income that's why this cars are still operating

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  8. My opinion on this situation is that the Government must get officers to be checking the cars at the station if there's is damaged it must be repaired immediately or the car must be packed at the police station.

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