Kumasi, Feb. 04 – Recent data on road traffic safety has unveiled troubling trends in the Ashanti Region, where factors such as speeding, insufficient law enforcement, and the surging presence of motorcycles and tricycles are contributing to a spike in road fatalities.
According to the 2025 Road Traffic Statistics published by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), motorcycle-related accidents increased by 22%, while incidents involving tricycles experienced an alarming 49% rise. The overall number of road deaths in the Ashanti Region surged by 10.5%, reaching 692 in 2025, up from 626 in the previous year.
Additionally, the data highlighted an 11.1% increase in total road crashes and a 13.7% rise in injuries during the same timeframe. Mr. Kwasi Agyenim Boateng, the NRSA’s Ashanti Regional Head, shared these insights with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), noting that road safety risks are unevenly distributed across the region.
The most significant rise in fatalities was reported in Ashanti North, where deaths soared by 64%, despite the relatively low number of total crashes. Mr. Boateng indicated that high speeds, limited enforcement, and inadequate road safety infrastructure contribute to the severity of accidents in this area.
Critical rural highways, such as the Ejura–Mampong–Offinso and Akomadan corridors, have been identified as major contributors to the increasing death toll. Conversely, Ashanti Central recorded the highest number of crashes—2,927 in 2025—yet saw a minimal increase in fatalities, attributed to a rise in pedestrian knockdowns and frequent interactions between pedestrians and vehicles in busy areas like Manhyia and Suame.
Mr. Boateng identified a regulatory gap as many tricycles have shifted from informal rural transport to popular urban passenger vehicles. While commercial vehicles accounted for more crashes, fatalities related to private vehicles rose by 25 cases, suggesting a troubling trend of higher speeds, night-time driving, alcohol consumption, and poor seatbelt compliance.
The NRSA’s data also indicated that road deaths peaked in the first half of the year, particularly during the festive season when travel demand heightened. Moving forward, Mr. Boateng stated that these statistics will inform the Authority’s strategy for 2026, focusing on enhanced enforcement, stricter regulations for motorcycles and tricycles, speed control measures, and improving pedestrian safety throughout the region.
The NRSA plans to collaborate with road agencies to conduct safety audits aimed at enhancing road safety infrastructure. Mr. Boateng emphasized the importance of sustained road safety education and awareness campaigns throughout the year.
