“Roads are meant to be travelled, not to be buried upon.” This truth echoes painfully in the hearts of many Ghanaians who have lost loved ones to preventable road accidents. As a young man, I vividly recall a horrific experience during my first year at Tamale Senior High School. While traveling back from Navrongo to school, our commercial Benz bus suffered a tire blowout and veered off the road into a farm near Walewale. Many passengers perished, and the few of us who survived were rushed to the Walewale Government Hospital. The trauma of that experience lingers.
Years later, in 2018, I faced an even more painful tragedy. My younger brother, Private Umar Farouk Yakubu, had just achieved his dream of joining the Ghana Army after multiple attempts and enduring rigorous training at the Army Training School. Tragically, on the day he and his colleagues were transported from Shai Hills Army Training School to Ho’s 66 Artillery Regiment, their vehicle was involved in an accident. He was flown to the 37 Military Hospital, but his young life was cut short. Today, his body rests at the Military Cemetery at Airport Hills, a cruel reminder of the dangers that persist on our roads. May Almighty Allah grant him and to all those lives lost due to road accidents Jannah.
I am not alone in this grief. Countless Ghanaians have buried their loved ones due to preventable road accidents. Ghana’s road safety crisis has become an urgent matter demanding immediate attention. Our roads, once symbols of connectivity and progress, have turned into death traps littered with hazards that could be avoided with responsible governance and practical interventions.
Under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, road safety was compromised by the unchecked erection of advertising billboards in the middle of major roads across the capital city, Accra. These billboards, positioned dangerously on routes like Obasanjo Highway, Madina-Legon Road, and the 37-Adenta Road, pose serious risks to drivers and pedestrians alike. The situation becomes even more treacherous at night when non-existent street lighting makes visibility difficult.
The problem extends beyond billboards. Commercial vehicles or ‘trotros’ that ply routes from areas such as 37, Osu, Kaneshie, Ashaiman, Madina, Circle, Accra, Tema Station, Odorkor, Kasoa, and many others, are often death traps before passengers even board them. Many of these vehicles are poorly maintained, yet they pass their roadworthy tests under questionable circumstances. Additionally, the prevalence of broken-down vehicles and abandoned vehicles left along busy roads exacerbates the problem. It is not uncommon to find vehicles stuck for days on end along highways, with little effort made to clear them.
Another critical factor contributing to the carnage on our roads is the widespread use of uncertified roadside mechanics. While these mechanics serve a crucial purpose for the majority of Ghanaians who cannot afford expensive repairs, there is an urgent need for regulation to ensure proper training and certification. Vehicle maintenance records should be required during every roadworthiness certification to guarantee public safety.
Tire safety is another area of concern. Many motorists, driven by economic challenges, opt for cheap, used, and often dangerous tires. To address this, the Road Safety Authority must strengthen its inspectorate division, recruit more qualified personnel, and conduct regular inspections of tire dealers to ensure only quality tires are sold. At the same time, the government should consider reducing excessive taxes on new tires to make them affordable for the average Ghanaian.
Furthermore, we must address the issue of zebra crossings. Even when they exist, many Ghanaian drivers disregard them, making it dangerous for pedestrians who often have to sprint across roads to avoid being hit. Public education and stricter enforcement of zebra crossing regulations are desperately needed to save lives.
The NDC government under His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has inherited a road safety nightmare. Broken-down traffic lights, poor road signage, and an overall neglect of safety infrastructure have turned our roads into avenues of danger. But this is not about pointing fingers; it is about coming together to find lasting solutions that protect every Ghanaian life.
Government must urgently launch a comprehensive campaign to clear billboards from the middle of our roads, repair broken-down traffic lights, and introduce better enforcement of road safety regulations. The Road Safety Authority must be empowered and resourced to fulfil its mandate effectively. Furthermore, authorities should make the purchase of brand-new vehicles more attractive through tax incentives and affordable financing options. Ghana must rise above its reliance on accident-ridden cars imported from Europe and the Americas. Our citizens deserve the dignity of safety.
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, as a visionary leader dedicated to resetting Ghana and positioning it to attract investors and tourists, must make road safety a top priority. The NDC has always stood with the masses, championing strategic interventions to improve the quality of life for all. Now is the time for the government to rid our nation of the death traps that lurk on our streets and introduce safer, greener transportation solutions.
Building a prosperous and thriving nation requires a firm commitment to safeguarding the lives of our citizens. Prioritizing road safety is an essential part of this vision. The memories of those we have lost must drive us to act decisively and immediately. This is not just a plea for change; it is a call to action. Ghana’s future depends on the safety of its people. Let’s make our roads safe again.
By: Abdul-Razak Yakubu, International Development, Political and Governance Consultant
