GhIE Sounds Alarm: 10 Daily Road Crash Deaths in Ghana, 4 from Motorcycles – Calls for Urgent Reforms
The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has revealed alarming statistics showing that an average of 10 people die daily from road crashes in Ghana, with four of those fatalities involving motorcycles—commonly known as “okada.”
The figures, drawn from unpublished data by the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI), were disclosed during the 53rd Presidential Address of the GhIE on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Delivered by GhIE President Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse under the theme “Doing It Well, Doing It Right,” the address spotlighted critical gaps in road safety enforcement, policy implementation, and infrastructure standards.
According to the BRRI data for 2025:
A total of 14,743 road crashes were recorded nationwide — a 9.3% increase compared to 2024.
Fatalities surged to 3,653 — representing a sharp 21.5% rise over the previous year.
39% of all deaths involved motorcyclists and bicyclists, marking a 35% increase in fatalities for these vulnerable road users compared to 2024.
Ing. Hesse attributed the worsening trend to institutional weaknesses in the transport and road sectors, noting that while policies and regulations exist, enforcement remains inconsistent and ineffective. He particularly highlighted the growing threat posed by unregulated motorcycle use, which has proliferated in urban and rural areas as a popular form of transport.
The GhIE President stressed that evidence clearly shows fatalities can be significantly reduced through simple, cost-effective measures — most notably consistent and visible road markings on major highways. He called for their urgent nationwide implementation, arguing that such interventions save lives by improving lane discipline, visibility, and driver awareness.
“Prioritising human lives must be at the core of road infrastructure planning and execution,” Ing. Hesse stated. “We cannot continue to accept these preventable deaths as normal.”
Among broader recommendations to strengthen Ghana’s road sector, the GhIE President advocated for:
Enhanced enforcement of existing road safety laws and regulations.
Improved driver training, licensing, and rider education — especially for motorcycle operators.
Investment in safer road designs, including dedicated lanes for non-motorised and two-wheeled transport where feasible.
Stronger collaboration among stakeholders to develop transparent, accountable guidelines for approving single-source and selective tendering processes in road projects, to curb corruption and ensure quality delivery.
The address has reignited national debate on road safety, with calls growing for immediate government action, stricter regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, and increased funding for road maintenance and safety infrastructure. The Ghana Police Service, National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), and Ministry of Roads and Highways have previously acknowledged the crisis but face mounting pressure to translate policy into tangible reductions in fatalities.
