Barely weeks into 2026, Ghana is already recording a worrying number of road accidents, raising concern among motorists, road safety experts, and the general public. The sudden surge has come as a surprise, particularly after the country experienced relatively fewer accidents during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Many are now asking: What changed so quickly?
During the 2025 festive season, road accidents declined largely due to heightened police presence, intensified road safety campaigns, traffic congestion, and motorists’ fear of law enforcement. Drivers exercised greater caution, eager to arrive safely for celebrations.
However, once the festivities ended, the situation shifted dramatically. Roads became freer, enforcement relaxed in some areas, and many drivers reverted to dangerous habits such as over-speeding, reckless overtaking, poor vehicle maintenance, and disregard for traffic regulations. These factors are believed to be major contributors to the early spike in road accidents.
Several serious incidents have already been recorded across the country:
- On the Offinso–Abofuor road in the Ashanti Region, a commercial bus travelling from Techiman to Kumasi crashed into a broken-down cement truck near Samproso. Seven people died instantly, while several others sustained serious injuries.
- At Suame-Maakro, an okada rider believed to be in his late twenties was crushed under a trailer transporting soya beans and died on the spot.
- In the Savannah Region, five officers of the Ghana National Fire Service sustained injuries when their fire engine overturned while responding to a fire outbreak at Buipe.
- At Mankrong on the Accra–Kumasi Highway, a bus collided with a truck, resulting in one fatality and 37 injuries.
The early wave of road accidents in 2026 serves as a serious warning. Without urgent and sustained action, more lives could be lost. Drivers must maintain the discipline exhibited during the festive season, law enforcement agencies must intensify road safety enforcement, and the public must continue to speak out against reckless driving.
Road safety is not seasonal—it is a shared responsibility that must be upheld every day.
By Nana Achiaa Aboagye