Road Safety Crisis in Ghana: A Call for Collective Action

By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh

Ghana is grappling with a deepening road safety crisis, as thousands of lives are lost annually due to rising motorcycle fatalities, pedestrian knockdowns, and unsafe road behaviors. Experts are sounding the alarm, calling for urgent, coordinated action to reverse this dangerous trend. They are emphasizing the need for responsible road use, better infrastructure, safer vehicles, and stricter law enforcement.

Human Behavior: The Leading Cause

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) reports that a staggering 90% of road crashes, injuries, and fatalities in Ghana are linked to human behavior. Common causes include distracted driving often due to mobile phone use, reckless overtaking, and driver fatigue.

There’s also a disturbing rise in distracted riding, with some motorcyclists seen texting or watching videos while in motion. Speeding, fatigue, and failure to use helmets and seatbelts are contributing to the growing number of preventable deaths.

Director of Planning and Programs at the NRSA Mr. Martin Afram, revealed that globally, around 1.2 million people die each year from road crashes, leading to a loss of up to 10% of global GDP. In Ghana, road crashes cost the country an estimated USD 2.3 billion in 2024, with over 18,000 reported crashes, more than 2,000 deaths, and approximately 12,000 injuries. On average, Ghana loses 6 to 8 lives daily to road accidents. The last quarter of the year sees the highest number of crashes, particularly between Fridays and Sundays, and between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

A Growing Danger: Vulnerable Road Users

Motorcycle-related deaths have surged dramatically. While pedestrians were the most affected in 2019, by 2024, motorcycles had become the leading cause of road fatalities. The rapid increase in the motorcycle population has significantly raised risks for both riders and other road users.

Despite interventions from agencies like the Ghana National Fire Service, which has introduced safety initiatives targeting motorcyclists, the death toll remains worryingly high. Vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians now account for a large share of casualties, with over 60% of pedestrian deaths occurring in urban areas such as Greater Accra, Ashanti, and the Eastern Region.

Road Conditions and Vehicle Safety

According to the National Road Safety Authority, poor road conditions including potholes, lack of signage, and missing speed humps account for less than 5% of crashes. However, vehicle safety remains a critical concern. Many vehicles on Ghana’s roads are not roadworthy, posing significant dangers not only to their occupants but to all road users.

Comparing data from the first quarter of 2025 to the same period in 2024, there has been an approximate 8% increase in reported road crash cases. The number of individuals involved in these incidents is also 6% higher than last year. Most concerning, however, is the 24% rise in the number of people killed compared to the same period in 2024.

A Call for National Action

Experts agree that reversing the trend requires a united, holistic and collaborative approach:

• Promoting responsible behavior: Drivers and riders must avoid distractions, obey speed limits, and use helmets and seatbelts.
• Stricter enforcement: Traffic laws must be firmly enforced to deter violations.
• Improving infrastructure: Roads must be maintained and upgraded to meet safety standards.
• Ensuring vehicle safety: Regular inspections and enforcement of roadworthiness standards are critical.

Ghana’s road safety crisis is more than a transport issue, it’s a national development challenge. The lives lost are often those of young people, working professionals, and family breadwinners. Reducing road crashes will require the combined efforts of government agencies, civil society, transport unions, and every individual who uses the road.