Road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Ghana remain a critical but often relegated public health and socioeconomic burden. Though it appears there are ongoing public education campaigns, the country continues to record high rates of road-related fatalities and injuries each year. While national reports on road accidents and policy dialogues often focus on crash counts, and casualties, less attention is given to how these accidents strip families of their primary income earners, thereby undermining household stability, eroding livelihoods, and perpetuating cycles of poverty. A closer examination of recent road accident statistics and the socio-economic repercussions associated with it reveals why Ghana urgently needs to comprehensively reassess its road safety responses and institutions responsible for road safety require to be proactive.
Current Trends: 2020–2025 Road Accident Statistics
The national data available indicate that road traffic accidents in Ghana have remained persistently high over the period 2020–2025, with significant casualties and fatalities recorded annually. According to reports from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and corroborated by media and policy analyses, the burden of road crashes has shown an overall upward trend, particularly in fatalities. For instance:
In 2020, Ghana recorded approximately 14,886 road crashes, resulting in thousands of casualties nationwide. In spite of the reduced vehicular movement during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic, road traffic deaths increased, highlighting persistent issues such as speeding and poor compliance with traffic regulations (National Development Planning Commission [NDPC], 2021).
Between the period 2021 and 2022, road traffic fatalities remained alarmingly high. It is estimated that Ghana recorded between 1,800 and 2,890 deaths annually, with over 14,000 injuries each year. Particularly, 2021 recorded one of the highest fatality figures in recent history, which underscores the weaknesses in the enforcement of road safety regulation and road user behavior (University of Ghana, 2022; NRSA, 2022).
In 2023, official data showed that 2,276 persons lost their lives through road traffic accidents across the country, with thousands more sustaining injuries with various forms of deformities. The majority of victims fell within the economically productive age group, intensifying the socioeconomic impact on households and communities (Graphic Online, 2024).
The situation worsened in 2024, when the National Road Safety Authority reported 13,489 road crashes, leading to 15,607 casualties, including 2,494 deaths. This represented a significant increase in fatalities compared to 2023 (National Road Safety Authority, 2024). In the first half of 2024 alone, 1,237 deaths were recorded from 6,653 crashes, averaging nearly seven deaths per day (GBC News, 2024).
The provisional data for 2025 suggest that the trend has not declined. This is because between January and June 2025, Ghana recorded 7,289 road crashes, which resulted in 1,504 deaths and approximately 8,300 injuries, with pedestrians accounting for a substantial proportion of victims (NRSA, 2025a). By August 2025, cumulative figures indicated 1,937 deaths and 10,957 injuries from 9,626 crashes nationwide, reinforcing concerns about worsening road safety outcomes (Citi Newsroom, 2025).
Regionally, the burden has been unevenly distributed. The Ashanti Region, a major transport and commercial hub, recorded over 20,000 road crashes, 3,131 deaths, and 24,409 injuries between 2020 and mid-2025, making it the deadliest region in the country during the period under review (Legal Resources Centre Ghana, 2025).
Collectively, these statistics demonstrate that road traffic accidents in Ghana continue to claim thousands of lives annually, with a disproportionate impact on economically active individuals. The sustained high fatality rate over the five-year period highlights the urgent need for stronger institutional responses, improved road infrastructure, and sustained behavioral change among road users.
Causes of Road Traffic Accidents in Ghana
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Ghana are a significant public health issue, with multiple factors contributing to the high incidence of crashes, fatalities, and injuries. These causes can be categorized into human factors, vehicle-related factors, road infrastructure factors, and environmental influences. For instance:
Human Factors
Human error is the leading cause of road traffic accidents in Ghana, contributing to a substantial portion of crashes and fatalities. One of the most common causes of accidents is over-speeding. Many drivers exceed speed limits, particularly on highways, in rural areas, or during long-distance travel (National Road Safety Authority [NRSA], 2024). Over -speeding reduces the driver’s ability to react to sudden hazards, increases stopping distances, and raises the likelihood of fatal injuries. According to NRSA (2024), speeding accounts for nearly 40% of all traffic-related fatalities in Ghana.
Another significant human factor is drunk driving. Alcohol impairment affects a driver’s judgment, reflexes, and reaction times, which significantly increases the likelihood of accidents. It is estimated that over 20% of drivers that are involved in fatal accidents tested positive for alcohol (NRSA, 2024). Drunk driving leads to poor decision-making, slow reflexes, and an increased chance of collisions, especially on long-distance routes where commercial vehicles are involved.
Reckless driving and dangerous overtaking also contribute to the high number of accidents in Ghana. Drivers frequently engage in unsafe overtaking, cutting off other vehicles, and ignoring road conditions, which increases the risk of head-on collisions, particularly on narrow or congested roads. Reckless driving is responsible for about 25% of all fatal accidents (Ghana Police Service, 2023). Additionally, fatigue from long hours of driving, especially by commercial drivers, leads to impaired concentration and delayed reactions, contributing to accidents (NRSA, 2022). Inexperienced drivers, particularly in rural areas, are also more prone to misjudging distances and road hazards, which increases the likelihood of accidents (NRSA, 2024).
Vehicle-Related Factors
While human behavior is the leading cause of road traffic accidents, the condition of vehicles is also a critical factor. Poor vehicle maintenance is widespread in Ghana, particularly among commercial vehicles. Faulty brakes, worn-out tires, and malfunctioning lights are common causes of accidents, as these vehicles are often neglected by owners due to lack of proper maintenance (Ghana Road Safety Commission, 2022). Poor vehicle maintenance is responsible for 15-20% of all road crashes in Ghana (NRSA, 2024). For example, faulty brakes can make it impossible for a driver to stop in time to avoid an accident.
Overloading is another vehicle-related factor that contributes to accidents in Ghana, particularly in public transport. Many commercial vehicles, especially trotros (mini buses) exceed weight limits, placing excessive strain on tires and suspension systems. Overloading makes vehicles harder to control, increases stopping distances, and raises the risk of mechanical failure (Ghana Road Safety Commission, 2022). According to the NRSA (2024), overloading is responsible for 10-15% of accidents involving public transport vehicles.
Furthermore, unroadworthy vehicles are another contributor to accidents. Many vehicles, particularly older ones, lack essential safety features or have defects that can cause accidents. These vehicles are often involved in crashes due to defective tires, broken lights, or faulty engines (NRSA, 2024). The NRSA estimates that 10% of accidents in Ghana involve vehicles that are not roadworthy (NRSA, 2024).
Road Infrastructure Factors
The state of road infrastructure plays a significant role in road traffic accidents. Poor road conditions are a major problem in both rural and urban areas of Ghana. Many roads are characterized by potholes, uneven surfaces, and poor drainage systems, which contribute to accidents, particularly during the rainy season (Ghana Roads and Highways, 2022). Poor road conditions are responsible for 15-20% of accidents, especially in rural areas where maintenance is minimal (NRSA, 2024).
Additionally, the lack of proper road signage and traffic signals contributes to accidents. Inadequate or poorly maintained signs, coupled with a lack of traffic management in certain areas, increases the likelihood of confusion and unsafe driving behavior. The absence of proper signage or lane markings is responsible for 10-15% of crashes (NRSA, 2023). In urban centers like Accra, where traffic congestion is high, poor traffic management further exacerbates the risk of accidents. This often results in rear-end collisions and pedestrian accidents due to poor lane discipline and drivers’ frustration in heavy traffic (Accra Metropolitan Assembly, 2023).
Environmental and Weather Conditions
Environmental factors, such as weather conditions, also contribute to road traffic accidents. For example, heavy rainfall during the wet season makes roads slippery, reducing traction and visibility. This as a result, make drivers more likely to lose control of their vehicles, leading to accidents (Ghana Meteorological Agency, 2022). Studies show that rain-related accidents increase by 20% during the wet season in Ghana (Ghana Meteorological Agency, 2022).
Additionally, poor lighting on many roads, particularly in rural areas or during night travel, increases the likelihood of accidents. Poor visibility at night or during inclement weather makes it difficult for drivers to see hazards in time. Poor road lighting contributes to 5-10% of accidents in rural and less-developed areas (Ghana Police Service, 2023).
The Socioeconomic Implications of Losing Breadwinners
In Ghana, where social safety nets and insurance coverage are limited, the sudden death of a household breadwinner due to a road traffic accident has devastating consequences for families. The impact goes beyond the emotional toll of losing a loved one; it plunges surviving family members into financial disarray. For many households, the deceased is often the sole or primary income earner, and their death leads to an immediate loss of livelihood. The premature death of a household breadwinner due to road traffic accidents produces immediate and long-term socioeconomic effects which include but not limited to:
Impact on Household Livelihoods: The socioeconomic effects of road traffic fatalities are felt most acutely in families that rely on a single breadwinner. In many Ghanaian families, the breadwinner’s income sustains basic needs: food, school fees, healthcare, and utility bills. When such an earner is lost, households often experience an abrupt deterioration of family income, which in most cases forces difficult trade-offs—such as withdrawing children from school or reducing nutritious meals.
According to the National Road Safety Authority recent statistics, long-distance vehicles and commercial motorcycles account for a significant portion of road traffic accidents, its injuries and fatalities. Passengers onboard these vehicles often individuals who are the sole providers for not only their immediate family but also extended relatives.
Increased Vulnerability and Poverty: With limited access to social insurance, life insurance, or disability benefits, survivors frequently become destitute. Without a formal safety net, many families are thrust into poverty. In rural and peri-urban areas, where informal economies dominate, such shocks can have particularly severe consequences.
Strain on National Productivity and Development: Ghana’s workforce loses valuable productive capacity with each fatality. Young adults disproportionately represented in RTA statistics are often the economic drivers of family units. Their loss reduces labor participation and contributes to long-term human capital deficits.
The loss of economically productive adults due to road accidents also undermines national productivity. Ghana’s workforce is already constrained by the challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment, and the untimely loss of individuals who contribute to key sectors like transportation, trade, and skilled labor further erodes the nation’s capacity for growth.
Additionally, accident-related costs that includes emergency response, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and insurance claims usually strain the inadequate public resources, which could be redirected to other areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
The long-term effect is a reduction in human capital, which is critical to any nation’s development. When families are thrown into poverty due to the loss of a breadwinner, children from these households are often forced to leave school early to work, which further exacerbates the cycle of poverty and limits the country’s future productivity.
Intergenerational Consequences:Children in households that have lost breadwinners often face disrupted education, compromised health care, and diminished prospects. Such disruptions can perpetuate inequality across generations and undermine national development goals. They are often forced to stop schooling, and in some cases, they may be compelled to take up low-paying jobs to support their remaining family members. This disruption to education and the loss of household financial support contribute to the persistence of intergenerational poverty, as the children are deprived of the necessary resources to succeed academically and professionally.
Moreover, when an adult dies in a road traffic accident, the emotional impact on children can be profound. Psychological distress, trauma, and anxiety often follow, affecting their health, social integration, and overall well-being.
A Call for Reflection and Action
While road traffic accidents in Ghana are widely acknowledged as a serious issue, the socioeconomic consequences of losing a household breadwinner due to these accidents are often overlooked. It is time for a deeper reflection on how to address this growing crisis. Ghana must prioritize preventive measures alongside education campaigns, and infrastructure improvement, and enhance the enforcement of road safety laws. These measures can reduce fatalities and protect families from the devastating consequences of losing their breadwinners.
Furthermore, policymakers must expand social protection programs to cushion families that lose primary earners. Access to life insurance, healthcare support, and education subsidies for affected children should become a priority in national development plans. This could also involve compensation schemes or financial aid for families, to allow them to maintain a decent standard of living and avoid falling into deep poverty.
A multi-sectoral approach is necessary, involvingtransport ministries, insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, andcivil society organizations. Road traffic accidents are not just statistics instead they are real tragedies with far-reaching social and economic implications. It is time for Ghana to rethink its approach to road safety, not just from the perspective of accident prevention but also in terms of addressing the human cost of these preventable tragedies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the socioeconomic loss caused by road traffic accidents in Ghana seem underrated especially the loss of household breadwinners poses severe challenges to families hence requires urgent attention. While addressing road safety is crucial, equally important is recognizing the far-reaching impact these accidents have on families and the broader economy. Through enhanced road safety measures, social protection programs, and public awareness, Ghana can mitigate the devastating effects of these preventable tragedies and secure a safer and more sustainable future for all.
References
Accra Metropolitan Assembly. (2023). Traffic congestion and accidents in Accra: Causes and mitigation strategies. Accra City Development Journal. https://www.ama.gov.gh
Citi Newsroom. (2025). 1,937 deaths, 10,957 injuries recorded in road crashes from January–August 2025. Citi FM / Citi TV. https://citinewsroom.com
GBC News. (2024). 1,237 people died in road accidents between January and June 2024 – NRSA. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. https://www.gbcghanaonline.com
Graphic Online. (2024). Over 2,276 people die in road crashes in Ghana in 2023. Graphic Communications Group Ltd. https://www.graphic.com.gh
Ghana Meteorological Agency. (2022). Seasonal rainfall and its impact on road safety in Ghana. Ghana Weather and Safety Report. https://www.gmet.gov.gh
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Ghana Roads and Highways. (2022). State of road infrastructure and its role in traffic accidents in Ghana. Ministry of Roads and Highways. https://www.mrh.gov.gh
Legal Resources Centre Ghana. (2025). Ashanti Region tops road crash fatalities and injuries in Ghana (2020–2025). https://lrcghana.org
National Road Safety Authority. (2022). Road traffic crash statistics: National report. Government of Ghana. https://www.nrsa.gov.gh
National Road Safety Authority. (2023). Report on traffic safety measures and their impact on accident rates. Government of Ghana. https://www.nrsa.gov.gh
National Road Safety Authority. (2024). National road traffic crash statistics: Annual report. Government of Ghana. https://www.nrsa.gov.gh
National Development Planning Commission. (2021). Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework (2022–2025): Volume I. Government of Ghana. https://ndpc.gov.gh
National Road Safety Authority. (2025a). Road traffic crash statistics: January–June 2025. Government of Ghana. https://nrsa.gov.gh
University of Ghana. (2022). Road traffic injuries and fatalities in Ghana: Trends and policy implications. Department of Geography and Resource Development. https://www.ug.edu.gh
