Fellow of the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP),Nana Yaw Fianko, is calling on the government to urgently implement Ghana’s National Road Safety Strategy, following a sharp rise in road crashes this year.
In an opinion piece, Nana Yaw Fianko, said road crashes are becoming a serious threat to public safety. He believes stronger action is needed to save lives and protect road users.
According to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ghana recorded 7,289 road crashes between January and June 2025. These accidents led to 1,504 deaths and 8,300 injuries, involving 12,354 vehicles. This is a 21.6% increase in deaths compared to the same time in 2024.
“Every day, about 40 crashes, 8 deaths, and 46 injuries are recorded in Ghana,” Mr. Fianko said. “We cannot ignore this problem any longer.”
Mr. Fianko explained that several issues are causing more road accidents. These include:
- Poor road conditions
- Weak law enforcement
- Unsafe vehicles
- Lack of driver education
- Delays in emergency response
He also pointed out that the laws and institutions responsible for road safety are not working well due to bureaucracy, political interference, and lack of funding.
Nana Yaw Fianko believes the solution is to fully implement the National Road Safety Strategy. This plan outlines actions the government and other agencies must take to make roads safer. He suggested:
- Better education for drivers and the public
- Fixing and upgrading dangerous roads
- Stricter vehicle checks and licensing
- Faster and better medical care after accidents
- Working together across ministries and agencies
- Collecting and using accurate data to guide decisions
He also reminded Ghanaians that road safety is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to reduce road deaths by half by the year 2030.
“Public safety on the roads must be a top priority for government,” Mr. Fianko stated. “We need a coordinated effort now, before more lives are lost.”
This report is based on an opinion article by Nana Yaw Fianko, Fellow of the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP) (IERPP).
Read Opinion here: THE DILEMA OF ROAD CRASHES, A CALL FOR AN URGENT INTERVENTION
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com