In Ghana today, driving is not merely a mode of transport. It is an extreme sport and an act of survival. From the dusty outskirts of rural communities to the bustling urban chaos of Accra, every trip is a calculated risk. Whether navigating the pothole-riddled Accra–Kumasi highway, the Accra–Takoradi route, or the treacherous Aflao stretch, drivers face a test of luck, reflexes, and survival instinct. What should be a simple commute has become a life-threatening venture Even in the capital, the once-glorious Accra–Tema Motorway has become a glaring metaphor for everything broken in Ghana’s road infrastructure. Our roads are increasingly claiming lives and maiming citizens not just because of accidents, but because of systemic neglect, policy failures, and institutional indifference. Ghana’s highways are not merely bad; they are death traps. And yet, this grim reality persists with little urgency from policymakers.
Blood on Asphalt: The Grim Statistics
Provisional data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), in collaboration with the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), shows that between January and June 2025, Ghana recorded 7,289 road crashes and 1,504 deaths. During the same period, 12,354 vehicles were involved in accidents, with 8,300 people sustaining injuries. The report also notes that 1,301 pedestrians were knocked down across the country. On average, the NRSA reports that road crashes claim eight lives daily, with 40 crashes occurring nationwide each day. Furthermore, 46 individuals suffer injuries daily, and 69 vehicles and motorcycles are involved in accidents every day. Every year, thousands of Ghanaian families are thrown into mourning because of fatal road crashes, many of which are entirely preventable. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that Ghana loses about 1.6% of GDP annually to road accidents. Yet despite these staggering figures, road safety remains an afterthought in national planning.
Death Corridors
Particular highways in Ghana have gained notorious reputations not because of their beauty or economic significance, but because of the sheer number of lives they claim. The Accra–Kumasi Road is arguably Ghana’s busiest highway, connecting two major population and economic hubs. Despite decades of promises, most of this route remains a single-lane carriageway. Reckless overtaking, speeding, commercial traffic and pothole dodging make this a hotspot for head-on collisions. Drivers dread the Apedwa–Nkawkaw stretch, which has become a graveyard for countless passengers over the years. Equally treacherous is the Accra-Takoradi route, which connects the national capital to Ghana’s oil, cocoa, and bauxite producing zones. It is choked with slow-moving, overloaded trucks, reckless speeding, and absent street lighting. The Cape Coast–Takoradi section is particularly notorious for blind curves, unpainted lanes, and poor drainage worsens the risk, as poor drainage turns roads into slippery traps. The Accra–Aflao Road, an important ECOWAS trade route connecting Ghana to Togo, is a one-lane nightmare. Its condition is an affront to regional integration. Major trade routes should not resemble rural footpaths. Trucks, buses, and private cars all compete for limited space. Accidents between Sogakope and Akatsi are frequent due to uneven surfaces, faded road markings. And then there is the tragic story of the forgotten highway: Accra–Tema Motorway, commissioned in 1965 by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was a symbol of modernity and vision. Today, it is a monument to neglect. Drivers on the 19-kilometre stretch now experience deep, axle-breaking potholes that appear overnight and stretch for metres, poor lighting despite being an urban highway with massive night traffic, armed robbery due to poor visibility and stalled vehicles, no road shoulders or emergency lay-bys, collapsed guardrails and rusted signage, open manholes that pose fatal risks to both motorists and pedestrians. If you are a commuter like myself who use the motorway frequently, you need to pray before entering the motorway both during the day and at night. One wrong move and you’re in a ditch. Successive governments have made big-budget announcements about the Motorway – rehabilitation, expansion, tolling, PPP partnerships but years later, not a single comprehensive solution has materialized.
Dualizing our Roads
Despite the critical economic importance of Ghana’s major road corridors, the country continues to rely on outdated, single-lane highways to accommodate high volumes of trade and human movement, an infrastructural failure with grave national consequences. These roads serve as the lifelines connecting key commercial cities such as Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Aflao, yet they remain grossly inadequate for the traffic they carry. The persistent underdevelopment of these transport arteries is not merely a matter of limited resources; it is rooted in chronic political apathy and shortsightedness. Infrastructure in Ghana is too often viewed through a political lens as a tool for campaign propaganda rather than a cornerstone of national development. As a result, successive governments frequently abandon, delay, or rebrand ongoing road projects to score political points, disrupting continuity and undermining progress. The problem is further worsened by fragmented and inconsistent construction practices. It is common for commuters to travel on a smooth, dualized stretch of road only to be jolted by an abrupt transition into a narrow, pothole-ridden single lane without warning. These erratic transitions not only slow down travel but also heighten the risk of collisions. Compounding the dysfunction is the mismanagement of public funds. Despite the billions of cedis borrowed over the years often under the guise of infrastructure improvement, road financing remains shrouded in opacity. Projects are frequently marked by inflated contract prices, prolonged delays, substandard work, and a mounting backlog of unpaid contractors. The cost overruns and waste are borne not by those who mismanage the funds, but by ordinary Ghanaians whose lives are endangered daily.
Corruption and inefficiencies in procurement processes are also central to this crisis. Political patronage often determines who wins contracts, not technical competence or value for money. This results in poorly constructed roads that deteriorate within a few years or even months of completion. Quality assurance is sidelined in favour of kickbacks and connections, leaving the country with infrastructure that fails to meet even basic safety standards. At the heart of the problem is the absence of a long-term, visionary master plan for road development, one that aligns with Ghana’s rapid population growth, urban expansion, and evolving economic needs. Instead of a coherent, well-funded strategy, what exists is a piecemeal approach dictated by electoral cycles and partisan interest. Until Ghana adopts a forward-thinking, non-partisan commitment to infrastructure development with robust oversight, transparency, and long-term planning, its roads will remain a deadly bottleneck to growth, and the promise of national transformation will continue to be stalled by potholes, politics, and poor planning.
The Lawlessness Epidemic
Beyond crumbling infrastructure, one of the most pressing and dangerous challenges facing Ghana’s road system is the pervasive culture of lawlessness and indiscipline among road users. The roads have become chaotic battlegrounds, where survival often depends more on intuition than on rules. Trotros (commercial minibuses), a mainstay of public transportation, routinely stop anywhere and at any time without indication or regard for other road users – creating sudden obstructions that lead to collisions or traffic gridlock. Motorcyclists have developed their own rules of engagement: they ride against oncoming traffic, speed through red lights, weave unpredictably between vehicles, and even mount pavements meant for pedestrians. These behaviours not only endanger their own lives but also those of innocent bystanders and other motorists.
Adding to the confusion is the rise of unregulated “aboboyaa” tricycles, which frequently ply highways with no safety standards, proper licensing, or accountability. Despite their slow speeds and instability, they share the same lanes as high-speed vehicles, contributing significantly to congestion and accidents. Equally dangerous are articulated trucks that travel at night without functional reflectors, making them virtually invisible until it’s too late. When they break down, many are simply abandoned on the road without warning signs or hazard lights, turning highways into death traps, especially in poorly lit areas.
What makes this situation even more alarming is the near absence of effective law enforcement. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) is under-resourced and often lacks the personnel, equipment, and logistical support to monitor and manage road behaviour effectively. Consequently, drivers without valid licenses, proper training, or even a basic understanding of traffic regulations operate freely. Roadworthiness certificates are often issued without thorough inspections, allowing unfit vehicles to remain in circulation. When traffic laws are enforced, the system is riddled with loopholes and corruption. Many offenders simply bribe their way out of penalties using “ways and means,” rendering enforcement a meaningless exercise and further eroding public trust in the system.
This unchecked lawlessness not only fuels accidents but also breeds a culture of impunity, where reckless behaviour becomes normalized and responsible driving is the exception rather than the rule. Until Ghana addresses this epidemic with bold policy measures, stringent enforcement, public education, and a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, the roads will remain not just dangerous but downright anarchic—a threat to every commuter, pedestrian, and family.
The Hidden Cost of Chaos
Beyond the tragic and visible loss of lives, Ghana’s dangerous roads exact a hidden and enduring toll that reaches deep into the nation’s economic, social, and emotional fabric. The chaos on our highways and urban roads doesn’t just kill – it cripples productivity, drains public resources, and leaves entire families in turmoil. Economic activities suffer significantly when goods are delayed in transit due to poor roads, traffic congestion, or avoidable accidents. Businesses lose revenue, supply chains are disrupted, and commuters spend hours in traffic, reducing the number of productive hours in a day. Transport companies face skyrocketing costs for frequent vehicle repairs and maintenance, expenses that are eventually passed on to consumers through higher prices for goods and services. In effect, every pothole and broken traffic light contributes to inflation and economic inefficiency.
The burden on the healthcare system is equally alarming. Emergency wards are overcrowded with victims of road crashes, stretching limited medical resources and diverting attention from other critical health conditions. Ambulances meant for life-saving emergencies are forced to navigate treacherous roads, causing dangerous delays. Long-term rehabilitation for accident survivors places further strain on both public health infrastructure and household finances, especially for families without health insurance.
But perhaps the most devastating impact is felt at the family and community level. A father leaves home in the morning and never returns. A young graduate dies in a senseless crash just days before starting a new job. A mother who is the sole provider for her children is struck down on her way to the market. These stories repeat daily, hidden behind the statistics and news headlines. The emotional trauma and financial distress inflicted on families are incalculable. Children are orphaned, households lose their primary earners, and dreams are abruptly ended. Some families plunge into poverty overnight, forced to sell property or rely on charity just to survive.
Beyond individual households, the nation as a whole suffers. Human capital which is one of Ghana’s most valuable assets is lost or permanently impaired. Future teachers, engineers, nurses, artisans, and entrepreneurs are wiped out on the roads before they can contribute meaningfully to society. Communities lose leaders, mentors, and breadwinners. And all of this continues with little sustained outrage, minimal accountability, and a dangerous acceptance of preventable tragedy.
This is the hidden cost of chaos on our roads—not just in blood, but in broken dreams, stunted progress, and a country held back by avoidable grief. Until Ghana treats road safety as a national emergency with the seriousness it deserves, we will continue to pay this high and painful price.
Way Forward
To address the road crisis in Ghana, a comprehensive and urgent strategy must be implemented – one that not only improves road infrastructure but also promotes alternative, safer, and more sustainable means of transportation. First, the immediate and full dualization of the Accra–Kumasi, Accra–Takoradi, and Accra–Aflao highways is non-negotiable. These critical economic corridors can no longer function as single-lane death traps, given the heavy volume of trade and human movement they carry. The dilapidated Accra–Tema Motorway also demands a complete overhaul, not temporary patchwork, to meet modern safety, durability, and capacity standards. All highways must be fitted with clear road markings, functioning streetlights, and adequate signage to guide drivers and prevent accidents, especially during night travel. Equally important is the need for strict and regular roadworthiness inspections, especially for long-haul trucks and commercial vehicles, many of which pose severe risks due to poor maintenance. To reduce chaos on the roads, tricycles (“aboboyaa”) and motorcycles should have dedicated lanes and be restricted from major highways where their presence contributes to disorganization and frequent collisions. The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) must be properly resourced and empowered to enforce traffic regulations stringently, supported by mobile courts and a digitized penalty system to ensure swift and deterrent sanctions.
Furthermore, road construction should operate under legislated timelines, with penalties imposed for unjustified delays by contractors and agencies. Public education must also play a central role – a national road safety media campaign should be rolled out, targeting young people, commercial drivers, and pedestrians to cultivate a culture of discipline, caution, and mutual respect on the roads. Crucially, any long-term solution must include a serious commitment to reviving and expanding Ghana’s rail transportation system. Investing in modern, efficient rail infrastructure – particularly for freight and intercity passenger transport – will reduce pressure on highways, lower vehicle congestion, and minimize accidents. A functional rail network connecting major cities and industrial zones like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tema, and Tamale would not only improve safety but also boost economic productivity by offering a faster, cheaper, and safer alternative to road transport. Without such diversification in transport infrastructure, Ghana’s road crisis will remain a costly and deadly burden on the nation.
Conclusion
Ghanaian roads are no longer just conduits of movement – they have tragically transformed into coffins on asphalt, claiming lives with chilling regularity. The daily toll of injuries and deaths is more than a statistic; it is a national emergency and a moral indictment of our collective failure. Each drop of blood spilled on our highways stains the conscience of a nation that has turned a blind eye to a crisis that is both preventable and unacceptable. No economy can flourish when its workforce, entrepreneurs, students, and families live under the constant threat of death every time they step into a vehicle. How can we talk about development, investment, or progress when our very means of transportation remains one of our greatest threats? The state bears an undeniable moral, legal, and constitutional responsibility to protect its citizens. This protection must go beyond words and promises – it must manifest in the construction of durable, dualized roads; in the installation of proper signage, lighting, and road markings; in rigorous vehicle inspections and licensing; and in the uncompromising enforcement of traffic laws. Road safety must no longer be an afterthought or a seasonal political soundbite. It must be a permanent national priority.
We must also reject the dangerous narrative that celebrates the endurance of drivers who brave these death traps daily, as though surviving chaos is a badge of honour. Our applause should not go to their resilience, but to the leaders and systems that create safe, efficient, and reliable transport networks. It is time to demand transparency in road project financing, hold contractors accountable for substandard work, and ensure timely completion of infrastructure initiatives. Let it be clearly stated: a child’s journey to school, a mother’s trip to the market, or a pastor’s drive to Sunday service must not end in tragedy. Every Ghanaian deserves the simple dignity of safe passage. Driving in Ghana must not be a gamble with death. It must be what it is meant to be – a basic, secure, and dependable act of movement in a functioning society. Until then, the true cost of inaction will continue to be measured not in cedis, but in coffins.
Source: Michael Darko, PhD
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