Rising Road Fatalities in Ghana Spark Safety Concerns
Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has revealed a tragic reality—149 children and teenagers under 18 lost their lives in road crashes between January and June 2024. Despite a slight decline in overall accidents, fatalities surged by 13%, raising alarms among safety advocates.
Ghana recorded 6,653 road crashes involving 11,283 vehicles, resulting in 8,798 casualties. Of these, 1,237 people died, while 7,561 sustained injuries. The report highlighted that pedestrian knockdowns decreased, but the rising number of deaths, especially among minors, underscores the dangers on the country’s roads.
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies road traffic injuries as a leading cause of death among children and young adults aged 5–29 years, making the situation even more critical.
Calls for Urgent Action
The tragic loss of young lives has reignited demands for stronger road safety measures, including:
- Stricter enforcement of speed limits, especially near schools and residential areas.
- Improved pedestrian infrastructure, such as crossings, road signs, and footbridges.
- Public awareness campaigns targeting both drivers and pedestrians to promote safe road use.
The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) has also called for a re-evaluation of Ghana’s road transportation system to better protect children, noting that reckless driving, speeding, and lack of pedestrian facilities remain major risk factors.
Parents and guardians are also urged to educate their children on road safety, emphasizing the use of designated crossings and traffic awareness.
With road deaths continuing to rise, stakeholders agree that road safety is a shared responsibility, requiring collective action from government agencies, drivers, and pedestrians to prevent further tragedies.