By: Abdul-Razak Yakubu (ARY), International Development, Political and Governance Consultant
“If the safety of the people is not assured, the prosperity of the nation is but a fleeting illusion.” – Akan Proverb
The bustling streets of Accra are becoming increasingly dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. Poorly placed advertising billboards, erected in the middle of major roads, are creating blind spots, obstructing visibility, and turning essential infrastructure into potential death traps. This problem worsens at night when poor street lighting leaves these billboards nearly invisible until disaster strikes.
Key routes such as the Obasanjo Highway, Kanda Highway, Madina-Legon Road, and the 37-Adenta stretch are particularly notorious for these hazardous installations. Schoolchildren, workers, and residents face daily risks while navigating these roads, where even basic pedestrian protections are absent. This is not just a problem of poor planning—it is a serious public safety issue that demands urgent action.
Rising Road Fatalities
Data from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) paints a grim picture. In 2023 alone, Ghana recorded 2,276 road fatalities, with men and children being the most affected. By mid-2024, the death toll had already reached 1,237, with 7,561 people injured. Road accidents are now one of the leading causes of death in Ghana, only surpassed by diseases.
This crisis highlights a fundamental failure in urban planning, regulatory enforcement, and public education. Under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, billboard permit revenues appeared to take priority over public safety. Advertisers were allowed to install structures without considering their impact on motorists and pedestrians.
The most vulnerable—children and the elderly—are the worst affected, often forced to run across busy roads in the absence of pedestrian crossings. As the Akan proverb wisely states, “A canoe does not paddle itself to its destination.” Effective leadership and responsible governance are needed to make roads safer.
Broken Traffic Systems and Poor Vehicle Safety
The lack of clearly marked zebra crossings and the disregard for existing ones by drivers have worsened the crisis. Pedestrians are often forced to dash across roads, dodging vehicles that fail to respect road safety rules.
Adding to this, many public transport vehicles, especially the commercial vans known as trotros, operate in shocking states of disrepair. At major transport hubs like 37, Osu, Kaneshie, Ashaiman, Madina, Circle, Tema Station, Odorkor, and Kasoa, commuters board unroadworthy vehicles daily.
That these vans continue to pass roadworthiness tests by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) is a national scandal. As the proverb says, “The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.” In this case, the broken vehicle inspection system is a national tragedy.
Uncertified roadside mechanics further compound the problem. Without proper training and certification, many poorly serviced vehicles continue to operate. Strict regulations must be enforced to ensure that vehicle maintenance garages are trained, certified, and regularly inspected. The DVLA must enhance oversight to prevent unsafe vehicles from staying on the roads.
The widespread use of substandard tires also plays a major role in road accidents. Many vehicle owners, struggling with economic hardship, purchase cheap and dangerous tires. Excessive taxes on new tires make quality options unaffordable for the average Ghanaian. “The poor man’s wisdom is despised,” and sadly, many are left with no choice but to risk their lives on unsafe tires.
A New Government, A New Approach?
The newly elected National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, under President John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to reset Ghana’s priorities and restore public confidence in essential services. The appointment of Comrade Abraham Amaliba as Director General of the Road Safety Authority presents an opportunity for meaningful change.
Immediate steps must be taken to remove hazardous billboards along major roads. Public education campaigns should sensitize drivers and pedestrians on the importance of respecting zebra crossings. Traffic laws must also be strictly enforced, with harsher penalties for reckless driving.
The government must introduce stringent regulations to ensure vehicle maintenance garages meet high standards. The Road Safety Authority should recruit an inspectorate division to monitor mechanics and tire dealers, preventing dangerous practices.
A Human Rights Issue
The fight for safer roads is not just a policy issue—it is a human rights issue. When citizens cannot commute safely, the very fabric of society is at risk. This crisis affects productivity, public health, and overall quality of life.
Prioritizing road safety is not just a policy choice; it is a moral obligation. The government’s commitment to resetting Ghana’s priorities must include creating a safe and modern transport system. As the Ga proverb says, “A man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body.” It is time to acknowledge past mistakes and take bold steps toward road safety reform.
The time for action is now. Ghana’s roads must no longer be death traps. The lives of its people must be valued over negligence and ineffective governance.
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