Ghana’s roads have claimed a staggering 1,937 lives between January and August 2025, according to a recent report from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
The data reveals a dire picture: 16,348 vehicles were involved in crashes, leading to 10,957 injuries across 9,626 reported cases. Commercial vehicles accounted for 5,515 incidents, private vehicles for 6,647, and motorcycles for 4,186. Speeding is the Main Killer.
NRSA Acting Director-General Abraham Amaliba disclosed these figures during a familiarisation tour by Deputy Minister of Transport Dorcas Affo-Toffey. Mr Amaliba pointed to speeding as the primary culprit, causing over 80% of all crashes, with drivers routinely flouting limits in both urban and rural areas.
Other major factors contributing to the carnage include indiscriminate pedestrian activity (such as hawking) and poor road engineering and maintenance.
NRSA Proposes Solutions but Cites Funding Woes
To combat the crisis, the NRSA is pushing for legislative change, specifically to amend the Road Traffic Regulations (LI 2180) to improve the removal of broken-down vehicles. The Authority is also advocating for automated traffic enforcement to curb excessive speeding.
Future plans include expanding road safety education, integrating safety work into the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and continuing efforts to ensure motorcycle safety through compliance with helmet and protective gear regulations.
However, Mr. Amaliba voiced a serious concern regarding inadequate funding for road safety programs and appealed to the government to secure financial clearance for staff replacements.
Deputy Minister Affo-Toffey praised the NRSA’s efforts and committed the Ministry’s support to addressing the road safety challenge.
Transport Sector Updates
The Deputy Minister’s tour also covered two other key transport agencies, revealing significant developments:
Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA)
Acting Chief Executive Dr. Frederick Apoh announced that the Tema–Mpakadan railway line will begin operations on October 1, 2025. Work is also progressing on the Tema–Nsawam and Takoradi–Nsuta projects, which Dr. Apoh noted have the potential to create jobs for young Ghanaians.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
At the DVLA, Acting Chief Executive Julius N. Kotey highlighted the success of their new sticker system, which has dramatically increased issuance from 2,000 to 12,000, providing a major boost to revenue. He also revealed plans for a nationwide replacement of all vehicle number plates by 2026 to meet international standards. Furthermore, new systems have been implemented to boost efficiency across several DVLA offices, including Adenta, Bole, Dormaa, Bechem, and Asamankese.
Mrs. Affo-Toffey concluded her tour by assuring all three agencies of the government’s commitment to supporting their work to strengthen service delivery and national development.
