Road fatalities in Ghana have risen sharply in 2026 despite intensified safety education and enforcement efforts, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has revealed.
According to Joshua Quist, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the Authority, preliminary data shows a worrying increase in deaths within the first month of the year, highlighting the urgent need for improved road user behaviour.
A nationwide safety campaign conducted between March 30 and April 7, 2026, targeted major highways, including the Shai Hills, Aburi–Mampong–Mamfe, and Accra–Suhum–Kumasi routes. The initiative focused on high-risk corridors before, during, and after the Easter period.
The campaign emphasised compliance with traffic regulations among commercial drivers, private motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Key areas included adherence to speed limits, use of seatbelts and helmets, and the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.
Mr Quist disclosed that road crash fatalities increased significantly from 261 in January 2025 to 383 in January 2026, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
He expressed concern that unsafe road behaviours persist despite continuous public education efforts across schools, religious institutions, transport terminals, and media platforms.
Meanwhile, Stella Ewool, a Superintendent with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) at the Weija Division, urged drivers to strictly observe speed limits and avoid driving while drunk or fatigued
She also called on passengers to take an active role in promoting road safety by ensuring drivers comply with regulations and reporting offenders to the nearest police station.
