π¨ New Yearβs Eve Nightmare: Church Service Triggers Traffic Chaos Across Accra
The recent New Year’s Eve church service in Ghana has sparked significant public outcry due to severe traffic disruptions caused by the event.
With a large turnout expected, the presence of police and military personnel raised questions about their role and the management of traffic.
This article explores the events that transpired, the public’s reactions, and the implications for future gatherings.

As the New Year approached, many people in Ghana gathered for church services to celebrate the occasion.
However, this year’s festivities were marred by chaos, particularly due to severe traffic disruptions caused by the large number of attendees.
Many individuals found themselves stranded in traffic as early as 4 or 5 PM, missing flights and other important engagements.
The situation drew widespread criticism as the military and police were seen managing the crowd near the church premises, leading to questions about their effectiveness in handling the situation.
The scene was chaotic, with cars unable to move along major roads leading to the church, which has a capacity of over 2 million attendees.
Many were left wondering why proper measures were not put in place to manage the influx of people.
Videos circulating on social media showed long stretches of halted traffic, with frustrated drivers and passengers expressing their discontent.
In the midst of this turmoil, reports surfaced of police officers and military personnel saluting church leaders during the service, which further fueled public debate.
Some questioned whether the police should endorse religious services in uniform, as ethics dictate that they maintain a separation between state duties and religious activities.
This raised concerns about the appropriateness of their involvement in such a public gathering.
The police presence was not just limited to uniformed officers; various security personnel, including immigration officers and prison guards, were also spotted at the event.
This led many to speculate whether these individuals were church members or simply part of the security detail.
The lack of clarity on their roles only added to the confusion surrounding the event.

With traffic at a standstill and some people resorting to cooking on the road due to the delays, the situation became increasingly untenable.
Many were left to wonder if there would be any accountability for the chaos, particularly regarding the church’s responsibility for managing the crowd and the police’s role in facilitating traffic flow.
Critics of the Ghana Police Service have expressed frustration over the apparent lack of planning and coordination for such a significant event.
Some have called for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to be held accountable for the disruptions, questioning his competence in managing large-scale gatherings.
The IGP’s tenure has faced scrutiny, with some suggesting that his continued leadership is questionable given the challenges faced during such events.
As the public grapples with the fallout from this New Year’s Eve service, there are calls for better traffic management strategies for future events.
Many believe that if proper measures had been implemented, the chaos could have been avoided, allowing for a smoother experience for attendees and minimizing disruptions for those traveling in the area.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the intersection of public safety, religious gatherings, and the responsibilities of law enforcement.
As the government and police reflect on the events of the night, it remains to be seen how they will address the concerns raised by the public and what steps will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In conclusion, the New Year’s Eve church service in Ghana has highlighted significant challenges in managing large crowds and ensuring public safety.
As the community continues to discuss the implications of this event, it is clear that improvements are needed to facilitate a more organized and respectful approach to future gatherings.