Africa-Press – Ghana. More than 1500 people perished due to road crashes from January to June 2025, according to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
During this period, Ghana recorded 7,289 road crashes resulting in the deaths and 8,364 injuries while 1,301 pedestrians were knocked down by Vehicles.
So, eight people die every single day, with dozens more injured in a country which is not at war or in any form of civil strife.
When compared to the same period last year, the numbers reveal a frightening surge.
In the first half of 2024, road crashes claimed 1,237 lives, meaning there has been a 21.6 per cent increase in fatalities.
Crashes rose from 6,653 in 2024 to 7,289 in 2025, while vehicles involved jumped from 11,283 to 12,354. Injuries also climbed sharply, rising from 7,561 to 8,364.
The First Quarter Gave a Hint
The year began on a worrying note. Between January and March 2025 alone, Ghana recorded 3,674 crashes—269 more than in Q1 2024. Fatalities rose by 23.48 per cent, from 609 deaths in early 2024 to 752 in early 2025.
Injuries increased by 12.14 per cent, climbing from 3,823 to 4,287. Pedestrian knockdowns rose from 573 to 650, with 178 pedestrians killed—a staggering 39.06 per cent increase. These are not just numbers; they represent breadwinners, children, future leaders, loved ones.
April 2025 brought no respite: 1,105 crashes, 1,903 vehicles involved, 259 deaths, 1,304 injuries, and 181 pedestrian knockdowns.
Why Are We Losing So Many Lives?
The reasons are well-known, yet they persist. The NRSA attributes most crashes to human error—reckless overtaking, speeding, driver fatigue, alcohol use. Poor driver judgment, unroadworthy vehicles, lax enforcement, and ignorance of safety rules. Speeding alone accounts for nearly 60 per cent of all crashes.
Pedestrians are particularly at risk. Many drivers refuse to yield at zebra crossings. In countries where traffic law and regulations are taken seriously, vehicles stop when pedestrians stand at a crossing but in Ghana, pedestrians must fight to cross and cannot expect vehicles to stop.
Jaywalking is rampant, and it is only in this country that pedestrians fear rain more than oncoming vehicles.
Infrastructure failures worsen the problem. Poorly lit roads, faded lane markings, potholes, and unfinished roadworks create deadly conditions. Now many roads are under suspended contracts, turning into death traps.
Broken-down vehicles are marked with stones or tree branches instead of proper warning triangles, posing dangers to other road users, especially at night.
Most public transport vehicles have malfunctioning dashboards; many drivers cannot even tell if they are speeding. Perhaps the speed of the wind gives these drivers an idea of how fast they are moving.
Seatbelts are worn only when the Police are in sight, and not for personal safety. Overloaded trucks pass freely, destroying road surfaces, rendering them unsafe.
Real-Life Cases That Should Haunt Us
Ebony Reigns (February 8, 2018): The celebrated musician died instantly when her jeep collided head-on with a bus on the poorly maintained Sunyani–Kumasi Highway. Sand piles, poor visibility, and bad roads were cited as factors. The conditions persist.
K.K. Fosu and Bless (May 25, 2024): A fatal crash on the Accra–Apam Highway, caused by wrongful overtaking, killed their publicist and injured both artists.
Actor Kwadwo Nkansah “Lil Win” (June 3, 2024): Reckless lane-switching and speeding caused a head-on collision that killed a three-year-old boy, sparking nationwide outrage.
Kuami Eugene (March 17, 2024): The musician’s car collided with a tipper truck lacking tail lights, compounded by poor street lighting, leaving him injured.
Atwedie-Asankare (July 28, 2025): A horrific crash claimed 16 lives—members of the Saviour Church Youth Ministry returning from a congress—when a fuel tanker burst a tyre while overtaking and collided head-on with their bus.
The Bigger Picture
Statistics show a worsening trend. In 2024, Ghana recorded 13,489 crashes, resulting in 2,494 deaths and 15,607 injuries. This was already an increase from 2023, which saw 2,276 fatalities. Now, the NRSA warns that 2025 could end with as many as 3,000 deaths if urgent action is not taken—making it the deadliest year on record.
The Human and Economic Cost
Behind every statistic, there is a story; families shattered, breadwinners gone, children orphaned, the destinies of future leaders cut short.
In the first quarter of 2025, 116 children under 18 were among the dead, alongside 895 adults. About 78 per cent (792) of the victims of road crashes in 2025 were males, while females formed 22 per cent (219). Economically, crashes cost Ghana over US$230 million annually—about 1.7 per cent of GDP.
What Must Change?
These deaths are not inevitable—they are preventable. To reverse this deadly tide, urgent action is required on multiple fronts.
Enforcement must be uncompromising. Speeding, wrongful overtaking, and vehicle overloading should attract strict penalties without fear or favour. Traffic laws must be enforced consistently to deter reckless behaviour on the roads.
Road infrastructure must be upgraded. Clear lane markings, better street lighting, functional footbridges, and timely maintenance can save countless lives.
The NRSA has repeatedly urged the government to fast-track the dualisation of Ghana’s major highways—a proven measure that significantly reduces both the frequency and severity of fatal head-on collisions.
Education is critical. Drivers and pedestrians alike need continuous sensitisation on road safety. Public campaigns must be intensified and taken to schools, churches, markets, and transport stations.
According to the NRSA, sustained public awareness combined with strict enforcement can drastically cut down road crashes.
Adequate funding is essential. The NRSA has stressed that enhanced road safety initiatives require strong government financial support.
Proper funding ensures that nationwide education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency response systems are maintained and improved.
Institutional collaboration must improve. The NRSA, MTTD, DVLA, and municipal authorities must coordinate their efforts rather than working in silos. Road safety is a shared responsibility that demands unified action.
Finally, post-crash care must be strengthened. Faster emergency response times, better-equipped ambulances, and effective trauma support for victims can make the difference between life and death after an accident.
Final Thoughts
Every time I see a motorcyclist speeding against traffic or a pedestrian dashing across the highway, I shudder. Every time I hear of another crash claiming multiple lives, I ask myself: How many more? Ghana is losing too many lives to what is essentially a man-made disaster.
Every reckless overtake, every faded line, every unlit roadside is a threat to life. Ghana is bleeding lives—not owing to fate, but because of indiscipline, error, and neglect.
We must use the commonsense approach, for instance dualise all major trunk roads and be each other’s keeper. Citizens must also wake up and demand discipline from society, drivers, commuters and responsibility and accountability from government. The talk is too much and empty.
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
