Motorbike Crashes, Knockdowns, Driving Road Carnage – NRSA
Road traffic deaths in Ghana rose sharply in 2024, with motorbike crashes and pedestrian knockdowns identified as the leading causes, particularly in Accra and Kumasi. Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) revealed 2,494 fatalities in 2024, up from 2,276 in 2023.
A new Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety report showed that vulnerable road users—pedestrians, motorbike riders, and cyclists—accounted for 86 percent of traffic deaths in 2024. The Ashanti Region alone recorded 88 percent of those fatalities, highlighting the scale of the crisis.
Dr. Raphael Awuah, Regional Technical Advisor for Africa at Vital Strategies, said the findings demand urgent action, especially as Ghana considers legalising motorbike commercial transport. He stressed the importance of enforcement, road engineering improvements, and stronger stakeholder collaboration.
In Accra, fatalities increased by 34 percent last year, with pedestrians making up 56 percent of deaths. In Kumasi, pedestrians represented 64 percent of fatalities, while motorbikes contributed 24 percent. Speeding, reduced visibility at night, and high-risk crash hotspots were highlighted as critical risk factors.
Stakeholders, including the Transport Ministry, NRSA, DVLA, city authorities, and the MTTD, are being urged to target evening enforcement, curb speeding, and improve visibility on high-risk roads to curb the mounting death toll.