Road traffic fatalities in Accra surged by a staggering 34 percent in 2024, with pedestrians bearing the brunt of the tragedy, according to the latest Accra Road Safety Report.
The report, officially launched at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) national partners’ meeting on Monday, highlights growing concerns about the safety of the capital’s roads.
The findings reveal that pedestrians alone accounted for more than half of all road deaths last year. When combined with motorcyclists and cyclists, these vulnerable road users represented a striking 86 percent of all fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.
Several high-risk crash hotspots were identified, including the Kwashieman intersection (N1), North Dzorwulu intersection (N1), Flat Top junction (N1), Abeka junction, and ABii National junction on J.A. Kufuor Avenue. The report also noted that nearly half of all fatal crashes happened on weekends, with most occurring between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
In a speech read by the Coordinating Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr. Douglas N.K. Annoful, on behalf of the Mayor of Accra, Mr Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the statistics were described as “alarming.” The Mayor pledged stronger interventions, emphasizing the AMA’s commitment to pedestrian safety. “These overwhelming numbers must stir us to double our efforts in various interventions. The AMA prioritises pedestrian safety, hence the reintroduction of the ‘red line policy’ to clear pavements of hawkers and safeguard the pedestrian,” he said.
Clearing walkways, the Mayor stressed, is not only a matter of safety but also equity, noting that effective leadership sometimes requires “difficult but necessary decisions” to protect lives.
Despite the worrying rise in fatalities, the report offered a glimmer of hope. Speeding among drivers—a leading cause of accidents—declined from 49 percent in March 2024 to 44 percent in September 2024, thanks to enhanced enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
Looking ahead, the AMA says it will intensify road safety efforts and continue working with partners to drive down fatalities in the years to come.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
