More than 1,500 people lost their lives and over 8,300 others sustained various degrees of injuries in road traffic accidents across the country between January and June 2025, according to provisional data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).
In addition, 1,301 pedestrians were reported to have been knocked down across the country.
The mid-year statistics highlight a persistent road safety challenge, with reckless driving, speeding, wrongful overtaking, and poor road conditions cited as the leading causes of these fatalities.
Commercial vehicles, private cars, and motorcycles were all involved, with motorcycles accounting for a significant portion of the recorded deaths.
The NRSA report revealed that urban centres and major highways recorded the highest number of crashes, with weekends and public holidays proving particularly deadly due to increased vehicular movement. Pedestrians and passengers also made up a substantial percentage of the victims.
Highlighting the daily toll of road traffic incidents in Ghana, the road safety official said,
- 8 lives are lost each day due to road crashes,
- 40 road crashes occur nationwide daily,
- 46 people are injured daily in these accidents, and
- 69 vehicles and motorcycles are involved in road crashes every day.
Road safety concerns intensify
Road safety experts warn that the high casualty numbers within just six months point to a potential year-end toll that could exceed previous records unless urgent measures are taken.
The NRSA has reiterated its call for strict enforcement of traffic regulations, improved road infrastructure, and greater public awareness campaigns to reduce preventable accidents.
Public caution
The public is being advised to prioritise safety by avoiding unlicensed commercial vehicles, wearing seatbelts, and adhering to speed limits. Road users are also encouraged to promptly report reckless drivers to authorities.
From fatal transportation mishaps to industrial tragedies, the incidents remind us of the fragile line between routine life and sudden catastrophe.