The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has convened transport union leaders, enforcement agencies, and emergency responders in the Upper East Region to strengthen defensive driving practices and reduce road traffic crashes. The meeting took place in Bolgatanga and brought together key stakeholders, including the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Ghana Highway Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Ambulance Service.
Mr. Eric Anokye Fordjour, Acting Regional Head of the NRSA, emphasized that the initiative aligns with Article 3 (1a) of the Road Safety Act 993, which mandates collaboration among road agencies, enforcement bodies, crash emergency response institutions, and transport service providers to minimize crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
“Road transport is indispensable to national development,” Mr. Fordjour said. “It remains a major source of employment and the primary means of moving people and goods across the country. Yet, despite its benefits, road crashes continue to claim lives and human capital.”
Data from the MTTD showed that from January to December 2025, the Upper East Region recorded 96 road traffic crashes involving 164 vehicles, resulting in 195 casualties—64 deaths and 131 injuries. While this represented a 24.41% drop in crashes and a 29.19% reduction in injuries compared to 2024, the casualty figures remain a serious concern.
Motorcycles were the most affected, accounting for 50 of the fatalities, followed by commercial and private vehicles with seven deaths each. March 2025 recorded the highest fatalities, with 14 deaths, representing nearly 22% of the year’s total.
Mr. Fordjour attributed most crashes to overspeeding and reckless driving, urging transport union managers to enforce vehicle maintenance, instill discipline among drivers, discourage the use of unapproved lights, and ensure luggage is not placed near emergency exits. He also called for cooperation with NRSA officials during terminal inspections.
Inspector Leo Tagborlo, Lead Accident Investigator at the Regional MTTD, highlighted the challenges posed by political interference, noting that some offenders resisted arrest and leveraged influential connections, undermining enforcement efforts.
Mr. Shamsu Deen, Regional Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highway Authority, warned that infrastructural and budgetary constraints limit road upkeep and cautioned against indiscriminate construction of speed humps without proper engineering design.
Echoing the urgency of rapid response, Mr. Azudaa R. Atandigre, Regional Director of the National Ambulance Service, said that in the first two months of 2026 alone, the Service responded to 42 road traffic crashes. He emphasized that casualties should not be seen as mere statistics, highlighting the life-saving importance of the “golden hour.”
Transport operator Mr. Andrews Tetteh of Metro Mass Transit urged strict enforcement against unauthorized speed ramps and called for regular road maintenance to prevent accidents.
The engagement reflects a coordinated effort by authorities, transport operators, and emergency responders to enhance road safety, reduce human and economic losses, and promote responsible driving practices across the Upper East Region.
