The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has revealed that 1,937 individuals lost their lives in traffic collisions across Ghana between JanuarnAugust 2025.
During this timeframe, 16,348 vehicles were involved in various road incidents, leading to 10,957 people sustaining injuries and 9,626 cases being officially recorded. The vehicles breakdown includes:
- 5,515 commercial vehicles
- 6,647 privately owned vehicles
- 4,186 motorcycles
These figures were shared by Abraham Amaliba, the Acting Director-General of the NRSA, during a visit by Deputy Transport Minister Dorcas Affo-Toffey, who was acquainting herself with the Authority’s operations.
Mr. Amaliba highlighted excessive speeding as the primary factor behind most crashes, responsible for over 80% of the cases. He noted that drivers frequently surpass speed limits in both urban centers and rural communities. He also cited unsafe pedestrian behavior—such as street vending—and substandard road design and upkeep as significant contributors to the problem.
To address these issues, the NRSA has suggested revisions to the Road Traffic Regulations (LI 2180), aiming to streamline the removal of disabled vehicles from roads. The Authority is also advocating for automated systems to enforce speed limits more effectively.
Looking forward, the NRSA intends to ramp up public education on road safety, embed it within the activities of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and continue promoting motorcycle safety by encouraging the use of helmets and protective clothing.
Despite these plans, Mr. Amaliba voiced concerns over limited financial resources for road safety initiatives and urged the government to approve funding for staff replacements.
Deputy Minister Affo-Toffey praised the NRSA’s efforts and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to reducing traffic-related fatalities. Her tour also included stops at the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
At the GRDA, Acting CEO Dr. Frederick Apoh announced that the Tema–Mpakadan rail line will commence operations on October 1, 2025. He also mentioned ongoing work on the Tema–Nsawam and Takoradi–Nsuta routes, emphasizing the railway sector’s potential to generate employment for the youth.
At the DVLA, Acting CEO Julius N. Kotey reported that the introduction of a new sticker system has boosted issuance from 2,000 to 12,000, significantly increasing revenue. He also revealed that by 2026, all vehicle license plates will be upgraded to meet international standards.
Mr. Kotey added that new operational systems have been rolled out to enhance service delivery at DVLA branches in Adenta, Bole, Dormaa, Bechem, and Asamankese.
Deputy Minister Affo-Toffey assured all agencies of continued government backing to improve services and support national progress.
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