Ghana recorded an average of eight road deaths every day in 2025, with a total of 2,949 people losing their lives in road crashes during the year, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has disclosed.
The Minister described the country’s road crash situation as a national crisis, warning that the continued loss of lives on Ghana’s roads is placing significant economic and emotional pressure on families.
He said rapid urbanisation, advances in vehicle technology and changing road-user behaviour were increasingly putting pressure on the country’s existing road safety and regulatory framework.
Mr Nikpe made the disclosure at a national sensitisation programme on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519).
He used the occasion to stress the importance of strict compliance with the new legislation as part of efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities.
Nearly 15,000 Crashes Recorded
According to the Minister, the 2,949 deaths recorded in 2025 resulted from 14,743 reported road crashes.
More than 16,000 people were injured, while close to 25,000 vehicles were involved in the crashes.
“Road traffic crashes have caused unacceptable loss of lives, injuries, and immense economic distress for countless families. In 2025 alone, 2,949 of our compatriots died on the road. Read it differently: that is about 8 people every single day,” Mr Nikpe said.
He said the statistics should serve as a wake-up call to motorists, pedestrians, transport operators and other road users to take road safety more seriously.
Over 36,000 Lives Lost Since 1991
The Transport Minister further revealed that Ghana has lost more than 36,000 lives to road crashes since 1991.
He said the persistent fatalities demonstrate the need for stronger enforcement of road traffic laws and greater compliance by all road users.
The new Road Traffic Amendment Act and Regulations are therefore expected to strengthen Ghana’s regulatory framework and contribute to safer roads.
Mr Nikpe stressed that reducing road fatalities requires a collective commitment from government agencies, transport operators, motorists, pedestrians and the general public.
