Ghana’s former president John Mahama has raised concerns about the increasing number of road deaths in the West African country.

Twin road crashes recorded in the country on Friday in two separate regions have claimed nearly 65 lives.

The major one which occurred in the new Bono East region claimed at least 55 lives after a head-on collision between two buses at about 2am.

The other happened hours later at Ekumfi Dunkwa of the Central region claiming 8 lives.

Commiserating with the victims and bereaved families, former president Mahama said: “Our roads are becoming killing fields and road safety continues to be a major challenge. All stakeholders on road safety – the licensing authority, drivers’ unions, Police, Road safety commission, and Government – must not relent in their efforts to make our roads safer.”

He added: “My condolences and that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) go to the families of the deceased persons. Our prayers are also with those injured and we beseech God to grant them a speedy recovery.”

Read the full statement below: