Ghana has witnessed a worrying increase in road traffic fatalities in the first eleven months of 2025, with the total number of deaths rising by 18.5% to 2,673 compared to 2,256 in the same period of 2024.
Data compiled by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and analysed by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) showed that the fatalities overwhelmingly involved men, with 2,139 males (80%) losing their lives, compared to 534 females (20%).
This represents a ratio of one female death to four male deaths, a trend consistent with previous years and highlighting the higher exposure of males to road traffic incidents.
Adults above the age of 18 accounted for 2,377 deaths (89%), while 296 children below 18 years (11%) were killed. This translates into a 7:1 adult-to-child fatality ratio, illustrating the greater risk adults face due to increased exposure on the roads.
Motorcycles alone killed 1,239
Motorcycle crashes alone accounted for 1,239 deaths, making them the single deadliest mode of transport in road traffic incidents.
Commercial vehicles killed 898 people, while private vehicles accounted for 536 deaths.
While motorcycles and other two- and three-wheeled vehicles represented only 26% of all vehicles involved in crashes, their contribution to fatalities is disproportionately high.
Cumulatively, motorbikes represented 72% of cycles involved in crashes, tricycles 25%, bicycles 2%, and handcarts 1%.
Private vehicles constituted the largest proportion of vehicles involved in crashes, representing 40%, followed by commercial vehicles at 34% and motorcycles at 26%.
Compared to the same period in 2024, the share of vehicles involved increased across the board: commercial vehicles by 4.8%, private vehicles by 1.8%, and motorcycles by a striking 17.9%.
13,320 crashes, 17,846 injuries
From January to November 2025, Ghana recorded a total of 13,320 road traffic crashes, involving 22,532 vehicles and resulting in 17,846 casualties—2,673 deaths and 15,173 injuries.
All indicators on the rise
Compared to 2024, the number of reported crashes, vehicles involved, and fatalities increased by 7.3%, 6.4%, and 18.5%, respectively, while injuries increased by 5.7% and pedestrian knockdowns by 4.7%.
Of the total crashes, 47% (6,213) were classified as minor, 36% (4,873) as serious, and 17% (2,234) as fatal.
A slight decline in injuries was recorded in 2025 compared to the previous year, with February witnessing the highest number of injuries at 1,532 and July the least at 1,230.
Deaths peaked in February at 267.
Pedestrian fatalities showed a modest decline of 4.7%, with 2,312 pedestrians knocked down in 2025 compared to 2,208 in 2024. May recorded the highest monthly pedestrian knockdowns at 265.
Ashanti, Eastern, and Greater Accra most affected
Regional data highlights Ashanti as the leading region for road traffic crashes and fatalities, with 4,057 crashes and 634 deaths. Greater Accra recorded 4,010 crashes but only 356 deaths, while the Eastern Region recorded 1,975 crashes and 587 deaths.
This shows that although Greater Accra experienced more than double the crashes of the Eastern Region, the latter had a significantly higher death rate, with 28 deaths per 100 crashes compared to 10 per 100 in Greater Accra.
North East Region recorded the highest percentage increase in crashes at 57.14%, whereas Northern Region saw the largest decrease at 30.16%.
In terms of injuries, North East Region’s cases surged by 222.2%, while Northern Region saw a 63.8% decline.
Deaths in Bono East rose by 71.78%, while Northern Region recorded a 48.9% decrease.
Incremental death trends in Ashanti, Eastern, and Greater Accra were particularly significant, with Ashanti reporting an 11.4% increase (65 additional deaths), Eastern a 33.1% rise (146 deaths), and Greater Accra a 2.3% increase (8 deaths) from January to November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Categorizing road traffic crashes
The NRSA classifies road traffic crashes into three categories:
Fatal crashes: Result in at least one death within 30 days.
Serious crashes: Result in serious injury requiring hospitalisation of at least 24 hours.
Minor crashes: Result in minor injuries or no injuries, with hospitalisation for less than 24 hours.
This categorisation underscores the severity of the road traffic crisis, particularly the high fatalities associated with motorcycles and adult male road users.
Call for urgent interventions
The 2025 data paints a clear picture: road traffic incidents remain a major public health challenge in Ghana, disproportionately affecting adult males and users of motorcycles.
Ashanti, Eastern, and Greater Accra emerge as critical regions needing targeted interventions.
Experts stress the need for the NRSA and its stakeholders to intensify road safety campaigns, improve enforcement of traffic regulations, and promote awareness of safe road use to curb the rising trend of deaths and injuries on Ghanaian roads.
