A report by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has revealed that 1,937 people lost their lives in road accidents between January and August this year.
The report further indicated that out of 16,348 vehicles involved in crashes, 10,957 persons sustained injuries, while 9,626 accident cases were recorded within the period.
Breaking down the figures, 5,515 of the vehicles were commercial, 6,647 were private, and 4,186 were motorcycles.
Mr Abraham Amaliba, Acting Director-General of the NRSA, disclosed this during a working visit by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs Dorcas Affo-Toffey, and her team to the Authority. The Deputy Minister also visited the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to familiarise herself with their operations.
Mr Amaliba noted that speeding was a major contributor to accidents, with more than 80 percent of motorists exceeding speed limits in both rural and urban areas. He also mentioned other causes such as indiscriminate pedestrian activities like hawking, as well as poor road engineering and maintenance.
The NRSA, he said, is advocating for amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations (LI 2180) to allow for the removal of broken-down vehicles and the automation of traffic enforcement to help curb speeding.
On the way forward, Mr Amaliba said the Authority would intensify road safety education, integrate safety measures into the activities of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and continue promoting the use of crash helmets and protective clothing for motorcycle riders.
He however pointed to inadequate funding and the lack of financial clearance to replace staff who had exited, urging government support to address these challenges.
Mrs Affo-Toffey commended the Authority for its efforts and pledged the Ministry’s support to help reduce road crashes.
At the GRDA, Dr Frederick Apoh, Acting Chief Executive, announced that railway operations on the Tema-Mpakadan stretch would commence on October 1, 2025. He added that work was ongoing on the Tema-Nsawam and Takoradi-Nsuta railway projects, stressing that the expanded network would create jobs for the youth.
At the DVLA, Mr Julius N. Kotey, Acting Chief Executive, reported that the introduction of the Authority’s sticker policy had significantly boosted revenue, with about 12,000 stickers issued compared to 2,000 previously.
He further revealed that by 2026, all number plates would be changed to align with global standards. Mr Kotey also noted that efficiency systems had been rolled out across DVLA offices in Adenta, Bole, Dormaa, Bechem, Asamankese, and other locations.
Mrs Affo-Toffey assured the agencies of government’s commitment to strengthening their operations to enhance service delivery.
Source: GNA
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