He Changed Seats and Survived: Ghanaian Man Recounts Fatal 1998 Accident That Claimed 13 Lives

Introduction

The Journey That Changed an Accra-Aflao Accident Survivor

According to Mansu, he was a student at Sogakofe Senior High School when the accident occurred on Easter Monday, April 13, 1998.

During his second-term vacation, he travelled from Dabala to Accra to visit his father, who was unwell and unable to celebrate Easter with the family. After spending time with him, Mansu began his return journey to Dabala the following day.

One memory from that day has remained with him ever since.

Before leaving, his father reportedly held his hand, prayed for him, and escorted him to the lorry station at Tudu. Looking back, Mansu believes that prayer played a significant role in his survival.

A Last-Minute Seat Change

Mansu says he was originally assigned the second-to-last middle seat on the 33-seater Mercedes-Benz bus.

However, moments before departure, a passenger seated in the middle position of the last row decided not to continue the journey and got off the vehicle. A replacement was needed, and Mansu moved into the vacant seat.

Years later, he continues to reflect on what happened next.

According to his account, the passenger seat he originally occupied became one of the locations where a life was lost during the crash, while he survived from the seat he moved into shortly before departure.

For Mansu, that unexpected change remains one of the most profound moments of his life.

“Be Stable” — The Words He Says He Heard Before the Crash

As the journey continued, Mansu recalls noticing a Ghana Police IFA truck overtaking another vehicle and entering the lane of the bus.

What happened next remains vivid in his memory.

He says that in the moments before impact, he heard a voice tell him:

“Be stable.”

According to Mansu, those were the only words he heard before the collision.

He further claims that he did not hear the crash itself, the screams, or any of the confusion that followed. Instead, he describes the experience as though he briefly lost awareness and regained consciousness after the impact.

For him, the experience was a sign of divine protection.

13 Passengers Were Reportedly Killed

According to the Ghana Police report referenced in Mansu’s account, 13 of the 33 passengers aboard the bus lost their lives in the collision.

The crash involved the passenger bus and a Ghana Police IFA truck on the Accra-Aflao Road between Ada Junction and Tojeh.

Mansu was among those who survived.

Hospitalisation and Injuries

The survivor says he suffered significant injuries during the accident.

According to his account, his right arm was broken in two places, while cuts and bruises covered parts of his face. He also lost a considerable amount of blood, leaving his clothes soaked.

Following the accident, he was rushed to Tema General Hospital, where he was admitted and treated for his injuries.

Although his physical wounds eventually healed, he says the memories of that day have stayed with him for more than two decades.

The Long Search for Compensation

Mansu’s ordeal did not end after leaving the hospital.

He says he was later asked by police authorities to attend court proceedings in Ho regarding the accident. According to him, he appeared in court on three different occasions, making early morning trips from Accra to ensure he arrived before proceedings began.

Despite his participation, he says he never received compensation.

Mansu claims that he was informed that police vehicles were not insured and was advised to contact the Attorney-General’s Department regarding compensation.

He further alleges that although the bus carried third-party insurance through the State Insurance Company (SIC), the insurer referred to the police report in determining responsibility for the crash.

Pot Belly TV has not independently verified these claims.

Meeting the Driver Years Later

Years after the accident, Mansu says he encountered the police officer involved in the crash on two separate occasions in Accra.

The first encounter reportedly occurred at a drinking spot in the Kotobabi-Alajo area, where he introduced himself as one of the survivors of the 1998 accident.

According to Mansu, the officer did not initially recognise him.

During a later encounter at the Ghana Police Divisional Headquarters opposite the DVLA at 37, Mansu says he reflected on his experience and chose a different response.

Rather than expressing anger, he says he focused on forgiveness.

It should be noted that allegations regarding the driver’s conduct remain claims made by Mansu and have not been independently verified by Pot Belly TV.

“Father, Forgive Him”

Despite the pain, injuries, and years of seeking compensation, Mansu says he eventually found peace.

When he saw the officer again years later, he recalls saying to himself:

“Father, forgive him.”

For him, survival became more important than bitterness.

His story is not only about a tragic accident but also about resilience, forgiveness, and the belief that life can continue even after unimaginable hardship.

“Lord, I Am Nothing Without You”

Today, Mansu says he shares his story to remind others that faith carried him through some of the darkest moments of his life.

According to his account, he has survived:

• The Liberian Civil War between 1989 and 1990.
• The fatal road accident of 1998.
• A motorcycle accident in 2006.

Reflecting on his journey, Mansu expressed gratitude for what he believes has been God’s protection throughout his life.

“Lord, I am nothing without You.”

For him, surviving the 1998 tragedy was more than luck. It was a testimony of faith, survival, and the belief that God still has a purpose for his life.

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