The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has released alarming statistics on road crashes in Ghana, revealing that between January and April this year, a staggering number of road crashes have resulted in significant loss of life and injuries. Although the exact figures for January to April are not available, the NRSA reported 1,237 deaths and 7,561 injuries from January to June 2024, indicating a concerning trend.
According to the NRSA, speeding and fatigue driving are major contributors to these accidents. In the first half of 2024, a total of 6,653 road traffic crashes were recorded, involving 11,283 vehicles and resulting in 8,798 casualties.
Regional Breakdown:
– Ashanti Region: Recorded 325 deaths, representing a 67% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
– Bono Region: Experienced the highest percentage increase in crashes, up by 41.5% compared to the same period in 2023.
– Upper East Region: Saw the highest percentage decrease in crashes, down by 41.2% ² ³.
NRSA’s Response:
The NRSA is working to address the situation, calling for an urgent audit of street lighting nationwide. The authority is also engaging with stakeholders to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents
Government Intervention:
The government has announced plans to install 250,000 streetlights to improve safety on Ghana’s roads. This initiative aims to reduce crashes and fatalities, particularly at night.
The NRSA urges all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life.