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.
According to the report, 9,626 accident cases were recorded during the period, involving 16,348 vehicles and resulting in injuries to 10,957 individuals. Of the vehicles involved, 5,515 were commercial, 6,647 were private, and 4,186 were motorcycles.
Mr. Abraham Amaliba, Acting Director-General of the NRSA, disclosed this during a visit by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs. Dorcas Affo-Toffey, and her team to the Authority to familiarise themselves with its operations.
Mr. Amaliba noted that speeding accounted for more than 80% of motorists exceeding speed limits in both urban and rural areas. Other contributing factors, he said, included indiscriminate pedestrian activities such as hawking, poor road engineering and maintenance, and inadequate traffic enforcement.
He urged a review of the Road Traffic Regulations (LI 2180) to improve the removal of broken-down vehicles and called for the automation of traffic enforcement to curb speeding.
Outlining the Authority’s plans, Mr. Amaliba said the NRSA would intensify road safety education and integrate safety measures into the activities of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The Authority also aims to enhance motorcycle safety through the use of crash helmets and protective clothing.
He further highlighted challenges such as inadequate funding for safety interventions and the lack of financial clearance to replace staff who have exited, appealing to the government to address these issues.
Mrs. Affo-Toffey commended the NRSA for its work and pledged the Ministry’s continued support to help reduce road accidents.
The Deputy Minister also visited the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
At the GRDA, Acting Chief Executive Dr. Frederick Apoh announced that railway operations on the Tema–Mpakadan route will commence on October 1, 2025. He added that work was ongoing on the Tema–Nsawam and Takoradi–Nsuta railway projects, which are expected to create employment opportunities for the youth.
At the DVLA, Acting Chief Executive Mr. Julius N. Kotey reported that the introduction of a new sticker initiative had significantly increased revenue, with about 12,000 stickers issued compared to the previous 2,000. He also revealed plans to replace all vehicle number plates in 2026 to meet global standards and highlighted new measures to improve efficiency at offices in Adenta, Bole, Dormaa, Bechem, Asamankese, and other locations.
Mrs. Affo-Toffey assured the agencies of government’s support to enhance their services and improve the country’s transport sector.
