The city of Takoradi, often abuzz with vibrant radio waves and the spirited energy of morning commuters, fell into collective mourning on Friday, June 6, 2025. The day began like any other, until a devastating road traffic incident claimed the life of one of its most cherished media voices: Isaac Bonaray, known across the Western Region as Ike Bonaray, host of the morning show on Max FM.
Ike, a gifted broadcaster, respected sports administrator, and newlywed father, met his untimely death in a manner as horrifying as it was unexpected. The accident occurred at Tanokrom, a bustling junction within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, where an uncontrolled timber truck reversed downhill and collided with a commercial vehicle, a “trotro” in which Ike was a passenger. What unfolded in those final moments left an indelible scar on the hearts of witnesses and listeners who tuned in daily to hear his familiar voice.
At approximately 7:30 a.m., commuters in the Tanokrom–Pipeano corridor were navigating the typical morning congestion. The sun had just risen over the city’s palm-lined roads. Amid the everyday rush, a timber truck, heavily loaded with freshly cut lumber, had been parked at an incline near the Tanokrom traffic light. According to eyewitnesses, the truck began to reverse in an uncontrolled manner. The vehicle, whose braking system allegedly failed, began careening backward down the slope. The driver’s frantic attempts to regain control proved futile. Within seconds, the enormous truck barrelled into a stationary trotro, crushing its rear end and sending the vehicle into a spin. Panic ensued. Passengers screamed and scrambled to exit the trotro. Among them was Ike Bonaray, who, recognizing the immediate danger, forced the trotro’s side door open and attempted to flee. But fate dealt a cruel hand. As he stepped out, the reversing timber truck veered and ran directly over him, killing him on the spot. Bystanders rushed to his aid, but it was too late. His lifeless body lay pinned beneath the mass of twisted metal and timber. Emergency services arrived within minutes. With the help of passersby and residents, the timber was offloaded piece by piece to retrieve the body. He was transported to Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead.
Ike Bonaray was not merely a radio host; he was a local institution. With a voice that could command attention and soothe in equal measure, he bridged the gap between politics, social commentary, music, and sports with admirable ease. His daily broadcasts shaped public opinion and served as a sounding board for the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians. At Max FM, he was the heartbeat of the station’s programming. Charismatic, opinionated, yet grounded, he interviewed politicians, artists, and everyday heroes with the same respect and incisiveness. Listeners called him “the people’s voice,” a title he earned not just for his on-air eloquence, but for his dedication to uplifting local talent and causes. Outside of broadcasting, Ike served as the Chairman of the Aowin Municipal Football Association and was an Executive Council Member of the Western Regional Football Association. His contribution to the development of grassroots football in the Western Region was widely celebrated. He often used his platform to advocate for better infrastructure and investment in youth sports. Perhaps the cruelest twist of all is the timing of his death. Ike had just entered what many would call the prime of his personal life. Married only a few months ago, he and his wife were celebrating the arrival of their first child, a two-month-old baby. The young family had recently moved into a new home in Apowa, on the outskirts of Takoradi, looking forward to the life they were building together.
“Ike was full of joy,” a colleague at Max FM recalled. “Just two days ago, he was showing us pictures of his baby girl. You could tell he was so proud. He said becoming a father had given him a new purpose.”
His death leaves behind a young widow and an infant daughter, both now forced to navigate life without the man who had so lovingly anchored their world. The news of his passing spread like wildfire through Takoradi and beyond. Social media platforms were flooded with tributes. Hashtags such as #RIP_IkeBonaray and #JusticeForIke trended across Ghanaian Twitter and Facebook. The Ghana Journalists Association, the Western Regional Football Association, and the National Road Safety Authority all issued statements mourning the loss and calling for stricter regulation of heavy-duty vehicles on urban roads.
Residents have also raised concerns about the conditions at Tanokrom junction, which has witnessed several near-accidents due to poor road engineering and inadequate vehicle regulation. Eyewitnesses insisted that the timber truck appeared poorly maintained and that it was common to see similar vehicles parked hazardously in the area.
“Enough is enough,” a taxi driver at the scene said. “How many people must die before these timber trucks are regulated properly?”
In the wake of the tragedy, the Ghana Police Service has begun an official investigation into the accident. The driver of the timber truck, who fled the scene briefly but was later apprehended, is assisting authorities with their inquiries. Preliminary reports suggest that the vehicle’s braking system failed, but the extent of mechanical negligence is yet to be confirmed.
Transport safety experts have urged the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to intensify inspections of commercial trucks, especially those carrying timber and other heavy loads through urban centers. Ghana’s timber industry, while economically vital, has long been criticized for its safety standards in transportation.
Ike Bonaray’s death has become more than just a personal tragedy. It has ignited a conversation about urban safety, regulatory enforcement, and the responsibilities of transport operators. His voice, once a daily companion to thousands, now echoes in the urgent calls for reform.
Max FM has announced that it will host a week-long memorial broadcast in his honor. Plans are also underway for a memorial football match organized by the Western Regional Football Association, with proceeds going toward supporting his widow and child. While Takoradi mourns, it also remembers. The legacy of Ike Bonaray is not in how he died, but in how he lived, a man of the people, whose words uplifted, challenged, and inspired.