An estimated 50 tons of shea butter oil spilled onto the Accra–Kumasi Highway on Sunday, May 31, after a DAF XF tanker suffered a mechanical failure at Misa Fuel Station in Ntoaso, creating dangerous conditions for motorists.
According to a Facebook post by the Ghana National Fire Service, the tanker was transporting shea butter oil from Tema to Techiman when its discharge valve broke, causing a substantial quantity of the product to leak onto sections of the busy highway.
The incident raised concerns over road safety, with the slippery surface posing a significant risk of accidents, traffic disruptions and potential environmental contamination.
Following reports of the spill, personnel from the Suhum Municipal Fire Station were dispatched to the scene to manage the emergency.
Upon arrival, firefighters assessed the situation and confirmed that no injuries or fatalities had been recorded despite the scale of the incident.
The emergency response team immediately began containment measures to prevent the oil from spreading further across the roadway and affecting a larger area.
As part of efforts to secure the scene, firefighters applied foam concentrate to the affected sections of the highway to reduce the risk of secondary incidents and improve safety for motorists.
The swift intervention helped contain the spill and minimise potential hazards on one of the country’s busiest transportation corridors.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the full extent of the damage or whether further measures will be taken to clear the affected area and investigate the cause of the valve failure.
