Roads have become indispensable in the development mix and serves as mediums for commutation of people, goods and services with the shape and condition determining good passage and safety to users.
The Section 3 (l) of Ghana Highway Authority ACT, 1997 (ACT 540) mandates the Authority to carry out, either through its employees or through independent contractors, the necessary routine periodic and emergency road maintenance activities in accordance with the service level of maintenance established for each class or type of trunk road.
However, most of the country’s roads have important maintenance features missing for years and have resulted in posing dangers to road users, motorists, and pedestrians throughout the nation.
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) recorded 1,504 road deaths from January 1 to June 30, 2025, an increment of 21.6 percent from 2024, which recorded 1,237 in the same period.
The Volta Region recorded 69 road crashes in the first half of 2025 as compared to 37 within the same period in 2024 representing an increment by 72.97 per cent, while recorded deaths in the region between the same period stood at 15 in 2025 and two in 2024.
Unfortunately, disappearing or faded road markings do not appear as a major cause of road accidents in Ghana, and this could be the reason, marking of new roads as well as re-marking of faded roads hardly receive the attention it deserves.
In the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region, only a few percentages of roads have visible road markings to guide pedestrians and motorists including the Fodome to Wli and some Hohoe town roads that were asphalted recently.
The main Hohoe to Jasikan section of the Eastern Corridor Road has invisible road markings including zebra crossings for pedestrians and surprisingly, the Santrokofi to Jasikan section on the Corridor, which is recently constructed has not received a road marking.
Road markings are not only to prevent accidents but also to beautify the roads, ensure proper road usage, help drivers understand lane usage, indicate permitted movements, and guide traffic flow.
Several types of road markings include Longitudinal Markings, which are lines, typically white or yellow, that define lanes, separate traffic moving in the same or opposite directions, and indicate where drivers could and could not cross for overtaking.
Transverse Markings include stop lines at intersections, pedestrian crossings (often with zebra markings), and other markings that indicate, where drivers should stop or yield and Hazard Markings, being often yellow and diagonal, alert drivers to potential hazards like obstructions or changes in road layout.
Research reveals other Markings to include arrows indicating direction of travel, markings near facilities like gas stations, and markings that indicate parking zones or no-parking areas.
Mr Smauel K. Ankude, Hohoe Municipal Director, Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), said road markings and road signs were complementary, which had varied signs meanings based on their appearances.
He said, while some road markings prevented overtaking, regulating how vehicles join major roads; others also do not allow overtaking, adding that the absence of road markings was a recipe for road accidents.
“In the absence of road markings every road user including animals are in danger.”
Mr Ankude advocated for the need for safety to be included in the country’s educational curricular at all levels since people do not take safety seriously on the roads, at homes, schools, farms, and offices and urged road users be particular about markings, wear crush helmets and seatbelts.
Most road markings on pedestrian crossings (Zebra crossing) and speed ramps in Hohoe have faded, posing danger to drivers as well, and this was corroborated with an eyewitness’ account of an incident.
“While approaching the speed ramp, the driver did not see the ramp because the marking was fading, and it was dark. He ran over it and the vehicle nearly veered off the road.”
Mr Moses S.K. Ladzekpo, an Advanced Certified Instructor, ATTC Driving School, said although road markings were important in ensuring road safety, the presence of road signs were much needed and should be present either to warn or inform road users, especially hose approaching traffic lights.
He said junctions were also supposed to have road markings (stop line) that could direct cars or motorbikes where to park whilst waiting for their turn to join the main road.
He identified some roads within the Municipality such as the lorry station traffic lights, the Bank of Ghana edifice that needed a footbridge and proper road signs respectively to avoid accidents and properly guide road users.
Mr Ladzekpo said the absence of road markings and road signs made it difficult for individuals learning how to drive navigate because they were unable to ‘reconcile’ the reality with the theory they learnt.
A student, who nearly got knocked down at a zebra crossing said drivers and motor riders do not respect them, when they stood waiting to cross the road adding that the fading zebra crossing’ mark was also a contributing factor.
She called on the Assembly to help resolve the issue by engaging the appropriate authorities to prevent accidents and loss of lives.
Mr Fred Bruce-Quansah, Head, Department of Urban Roads, told the GNA that funds for maintenance of traffic lights, road markings and other major road works were budgeted for at the national level.
He said the issue (fading road markings) was reported to the Regional Urban Roads, adding that hopefully it would be resolved.
Some drivers and motor riders spoke about the dangers they were exposed to due to the absence of road markings.
Yaw Adom, a rider said due to the absence of the markings, pedestrians do not walk along the roads but sometimes get into lanes especially, when walking in pairs or groups hence demanding careful coordination to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
He said some drivers also do not park properly and believed it was due to the absence of the markings and lack of intensive education.
Emmanuel Adokpo, a driver revealed that the presence and visibility or road markings guided drivers as well as motor riders who used the roads and would be careful on the road especially not overtaking, where the markings do not allow so.
Both vehicle and motorbike owners as well as pedestrians must ensure that they take their safety seriously to prevent road accidents, while the government and other state institutions responsible for the roads rise to the occasion to ensure road safety.
By Edward Williams
