By D.I. Laary, GNA
Accra, October 2, GNA – The Legal Resources Centre has called on the government to include road safety initiatives in the 24-hour economy policy, warning that increased commercial operations could lead to more traffic accidents unless helmet regulations, enforcement, and improved road infrastructure are given priority.
The Center emphasized the critical importance of making road safety planning a key component of the 24-hour economy, noting that longer business hours without changes could result in increased accidents and deaths.
Mr. Enock Jengre, the Programmes Officer at the LRC, issued this statement during the second Road Safety Journalism Training in Accra, which took place as part of the initiative titled "Supporting Advocacy Interventions towards the Passage of the Reviewed Road Safety Act and the Development of Standards on Motorcycle Helmets."
He suggested that infrastructure planning, helmet rules, and monitoring efforts should match the expected rise in transportation usage once the 24-hour economy is fully implemented.
He stated that the government's strategy to boost economic activity via a 24-hour economy must not neglect road safety.
He claimed that late-night traffic, limited visibility, and the growing usage of motorcycles and tricycles created greater dangers unless specific lanes and safety measures were implemented.
"Greater economic activity leads to increased movement of people and goods around the clock. Without safer roads and appropriate helmet regulations, the 24-hour economy might increase deaths instead of alleviating challenges," he said.
He mentioned that motorcycles have seen an increase of over 1,500 percent in recent years, but roads are still primarily built for cars and trucks.
He stated that the lack of specific lanes for motorcycles or bicycles often led riders to be in direct confrontation with bigger vehicles, raising the chances of accidents.
Mr. Jengre also called on Parliament to speed up the approval of the updated Road Traffic Act and to back the implementation of national helmet regulations that are being reviewed.
"Voluntary guidelines will not be effective. Ghana requires enforceable rules to protect lives," he stated.
An economy that operates 24/7 leads to increased road usage and greater vulnerability to dangers. If there isn't stricter speed control, traffic management, and improved visibility during the night, accidents are likely to increase.
Mr. Jengre emphasized that Ghana's 24-hour economy will not thrive without targeted investment in improved road safety, enhanced regulatory enforcement, and community education initiatives.
"Each day, at least eight individuals lose their lives on Ghana's roads. Should safety measures be overlooked, the 24-hour economy might increase this number significantly. Improved infrastructure, stricter regulations, and a sense of accountability are not choices; they are necessary," he stated.
Mr. Denis Yeribu, the Principal Planning Manager at the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), mentioned that speeding contributes to more than 60 percent of accidents across the country, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between different organizations to stop the situation from worsening.
He mentioned that deaths continue to be significantly higher in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, which together make up almost three-quarters of the country's road fatalities.
Ms. Mavis Nana Ama Obeng-Mensah, the Communication Officer at the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) in Ghana, highlighted the essential role of the media in influencing public behavior to enhance road safety and reduce preventable accidents and deaths.
She observed that initiatives like "School Girl" and "Surgeon" in Accra had a notable impact on attitudes toward speeding, with more locals stating they adhered to speed limits and encouraged others to follow suit.
The number of road-related deaths in Ghana is increasing, with 1,937 fatalities reported from January to August 2025, as stated by the National Road Safety Authority.
The number of motorcycle-related accidents is increasing, with more than 1,500 cases documented in just the first six months of the year.
The Ashanti Region has 41 per cent of the deaths, followed by Greater Accra (34 per cent) and the Eastern Region (25 per cent), showing the dangers in busy urban areas.
Speeding is still the leading factor, responsible for more than 60 percent of accidents, along with lack of experience, tiredness, and alcohol-impaired driving.
Authorities caution that under-reporting could hide the actual extent of the emergency.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Kenneth Odeng Adade
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