By Belinda Nketia
The Director General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Lawyer Abraham Amabila, has raised serious concerns about the alarming rate of road crashes and fatalities in Ghana, describing the situation as a national security threat.
“An average Ghanaian is likely to die in a road crash rather than to die from sickness. It has become a national security issue,” he stated.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, with host Maltiti Sayida Sadiq, Mr. Amabila expressed shock at the scale of accidents after assuming office. “When I took over as Director General, what surprised me most was the accident rate and fatalities, and it is clear that driver and pedestrian indiscipline are the key contributors,” he said.
According to him, both drivers and pedestrians show a worrying level of negligence, often ignoring road signs, footbridges, and basic safety protocols. “An average Ghanaian is more likely to die from a road crash than from illness,” he stated, adding that many accidents stem from profit-driven behavior among commercial drivers. “Drivers overspeed because they want to get back quickly for more passengers. But you can’t substitute human life for profits.”
He also criticized the poor state of infrastructure, citing broken rail guards on the Brim River along the Accra-Kumasi highway as an example. “Cars are falling into the river. I’ve already sent compliance notices to the Highways Authority with a 30-day ultimatum. If they don’t act, we’ll fine them and take the matter to court.”
While acknowledging the funding challenges cited by the Highways Authority, Mr. Amabila insisted that fixing basic infrastructure like road rails should be non-negotiable. “There’s funding, even if it’s inadequate, use what you have to do the right thing. People don’t die in political party colours. Road safety is above politics,” he emphasized.
Clarifying the NRSA’s mandate, he explained that the Authority is not an implementing agency but a regulator. “We can issue compliance notices, fines, and legal actions. However, responsibilities like road markings, fixing streetlights, and clearing overgrown bushes fall under other agencies. If they fail, then we can proceed to hold them accountable.”
Mr. Amabila also revealed that several entertainment influencers have submitted proposals to support road safety education through advertising and public awareness campaigns. “I’ve received proposals from some well-known entertainment figures, and I will make sure it happens. We need every voice to help amplify this message,” he said.
On the issue of motorcycle and tricycle operations, Mr. Amabila admitted that “okada” and other tricycle riders are currently operating illegally, despite serving important roles. “The law doesn’t recognize them, so we can’t even educate or sensitize them. We’re working to review these laws to enable regulation,” he said.
Touching on the legal driving age, he called for a reduction in the commercial driving age from 25 to 18. “DVLA is working to reduce it to 21, but I think it should be 18. The youth are unemployed, and engaging in commercial transport could help bridge the gap,” he suggested.
He concluded with a strong appeal to all stakeholders. “Let’s avoid indiscipline on the roads, both drivers and pedestrians. And for the agencies and institutions responsible for our road infrastructure, I don’t want to be at loggerheads with them because we are colleagues. They should be up and doing so, we don’t end up fighting in court, because I’m sure they are not against the public interest.”
