Over 180 Pedestrians Killed In Just Four Months

Ghana’s roads are turning deadly as more than 180 pedestrians have been killed between January and April 2026, according to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).

The shocking figures have triggered fresh fears over reckless driving, speeding and poor road safety across the country.

Greater Accra Regional Director of the NRSA, Joshua Kwasi Quist, described the growing number of pedestrian knockdowns as a “public safety crisis” that needs urgent attention.

Statistics from the authority show that pedestrian deaths rose sharply from 590 in 2024 to 704 in 2025, with the situation becoming even worse this year. Out of the 181 deaths recorded so far in 2026, Greater Accra alone accounted for 43 fatalities.

Mr. Quist made the disclosure during a joint road inspection tour with officials from the Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA).

The inspection team visited accident-prone communities including Sakumono, Kotobabi, Baatsonaa and Global Down following repeated complaints from residents over dangerous speeding on inner roads.

The delegation included Tema West Municipal Roads Engineer Emmanuel Wordey and NRSA Planning Manager for Greater Accra, Charlotte Esi Dadzie.

Mr. Quist blamed most crashes on human behaviour, saying between 85 and 90 percent of road accidents are caused by speeding, wrongful overtaking and drug-influenced driving involving substances such as tramadol and rohypnol.

“Drivers must exercise patience and give way to people crossing the road,” he warned.

He also praised the Tema West Municipal Assembly for taking steps to improve road safety through speed humps and pedestrian crossings.

Tema West MCE Ludwig Teye Totimeh said the assembly had intensified traffic-calming measures after alarming reports of crashes and fatalities in residential areas.

According to him, speed humps, rumble strips and zebra crossings are now being installed across the municipality to slow down reckless motorists.

He singled out the Kotta stretch as a major danger zone where speeding drivers frequently cause accidents.

“Before these interventions, we received weekly reports of crashes along the stretch,” he revealed.

The MCE appealed to motorists to obey road signs and be extra careful around schools and transport terminals where pedestrian activity is high.

Residents were also encouraged to report road safety hazards through the assembly’s toll-free lines as authorities race to prevent more deaths on Ghana’s roads.