Road crashes kill about eight Ghanaians every day – Transport Minister declares menace national crisis 

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has described Ghana’s road traffic situation as a national crisis, warning that the continued loss of lives on the roads is imposing significant economic and emotional burdens on families.

He said 2,949 people died in road crashes in 2025, representing an average of about eight deaths every day.

The Minister said the deaths occurred in 14,743 reported crashes, which also left more than 16,000 people injured and involved nearly 25,000 vehicles.

Speaking at a national sensitisation programme on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) in Accra on Thursday, September 10, Mr Nikpe said the scale of the deaths required urgent action.

“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 roads. Read it differently. That is about eight people every single day,” said the Minister.

He noted that the situation had persisted for decades, with more than 36,000 Ghanaians losing their lives through road crashes since 1991.

The Minister also appealed to commercial motorcycle, tricycle and quadricycle operators to comply with road traffic regulations as the government moves to implement legislation permitting their use for commercial activities.

He said the decision to allow such activities came with a responsibility for operators to demonstrate that they could conduct their businesses safely and responsibly.

“You cannot break road traffic regulations and think that you are skilful on the roads. It’s a risk we are taking, and that risk can take to loss of lives and injuries. We need you as a people. We need you just like your families need you,” he advised.