The number of people killed in road traffic crashes across Ghana recorded a marginal decline of 0.2% during the first four months of 2026, according to the latest road crash statistics.
The data shows that 1,009 people lost their lives between January and April 2026, compared with 1,011 deaths recorded during the same period in 2025, representing a reduction of only two fatalities.
While the slight decline offers some encouragement, the overall road safety picture remains worrying as the number of crashes, vehicles involved, injuries and pedestrian knockdowns all increased during the period under review.
Road safety experts say the figures highlight the persistent challenge of road traffic crashes in the country despite ongoing public education campaigns and enforcement efforts.
Nearly 8 in 10 deaths were males
Of the 1,009 persons killed during the period, 792, representing 78 per cent, were males while 217, representing 22 per cent, were females.
The figures reveal a fatality ratio of approximately one female death to every four male deaths, continuing a trend observed over the years where males account for a significantly higher proportion of road traffic fatalities.
Analysts attribute the disparity largely to the higher exposure of men to road traffic activities, particularly commercial driving, long-distance travel and motorcycle operations.
Ashanti Region records highest death toll
The Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of road traffic deaths during the first four months of the year, accounting for 263 fatalities.
The Eastern Region followed with 218 deaths, while the Greater Accra Region recorded 144 fatalities.
The Central Region registered 90 deaths, followed by the Western Region with 84 and Bono East with 48.
Other regions recorded lower fatality figures, with Western North reporting 40 deaths, Upper East and Volta recording 25 deaths each, Bono 17, Ahafo 15, Oti and North East 10 each, Upper West nine, Savannah seven and Northern Region four deaths.
The regional distribution underscores the concentration of road safety challenges along some of the country’s busiest transport corridors, particularly within Ashanti, Eastern and Greater Accra regions.
Children continue to pay the price
The report indicates that 114 children below the age of 18 years were killed in road crashes during the period, representing 11% of total fatalities.
Adults aged above 18 years accounted for 895 deaths, representing 89% of all persons killed.
The figures suggest that for every child killed on Ghana’s roads, seven adults lose their lives, creating an adult-to-child fatality ratio of 7:1.
According to the analysis, the higher number of adult deaths is largely linked to greater exposure to traffic environments compared with children.
Nevertheless, road safety advocates note that the death of more than one hundred children within four months remains a major concern and calls for stronger protection measures for young road users.
Crashes and casualties continue to rise
The report paints a troubling picture of increasing road traffic incidents nationwide.
A total of 4,899 road traffic crashes were reported between January and April 2026, representing a 2.5% increase over the corresponding period in 2025.
The crashes involved 8,300 vehicles of various categories, reflecting a 3.2% increase from the previous year.
The number of people injured rose sharply to 5,982, representing a seven per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Overall, the crashes resulted in 5,264 casualties, including fatalities and injuries.
The statistics suggest that although fatalities declined marginally, the frequency and severity of crashes continue to increase.
Serious and fatal crashes remain high
Out of the 4,899 crashes recorded, 2,149 cases, representing 44%, were classified as minor crashes.
Serious crashes accounted for 1,874 cases or 38%, while 876 crashes, representing 18%, were classified as fatal.
The figures indicate that more than half of all crashes reported during the period were either serious or fatal, highlighting the severity of road traffic incidents across the country.
January most dangerous month
January emerged as the most dangerous month during the four-month period.
The month recorded the highest number of crashes at 1,288 and also registered the highest number of injuries at 1,670.
April recorded the lowest number of crashes with 1,147 cases, while March reported the lowest number of injuries at 1,397.
The figures suggest that road safety challenges were particularly acute at the beginning of the year when travel activity is traditionally high following the festive season.
Pedestrian knockdowns increase
Pedestrian safety also remained a major concern.
A total of 862 pedestrians were knocked down by vehicles between January and April 2026.
This represented an increase from the 831 pedestrian knockdowns recorded during the same period in 2025.
February recorded the highest number of pedestrian knockdowns, with 237 incidents.
Road safety experts have repeatedly identified poor pedestrian infrastructure, inadequate crossing facilities and risky road-use behaviour as major contributors to pedestrian injuries and deaths.
Private vehicles lead crash statistics
Private vehicles accounted for the largest proportion of vehicles involved in crashes during the period.
They represented 40% of all vehicles involved in reported crashes.
Commercial vehicles followed with 32%, while motorcycles accounted for 28%.
The data suggests that private vehicle users remain the dominant group involved in road crashes, reflecting their growing numbers on Ghana’s roads.
Motorcycle crashes remain a growing concern
Although motorcycles represented the smallest share of all vehicles involved in crashes at 28%, the report describes their involvement as alarming when viewed against their proportion within the country’s overall vehicle population.
Among all cycles involved in crashes, two-wheeled motorcycles accounted for 70%.
Tricycles contributed 27%, while bicycles and handcarts accounted for two per cent and one per cent respectively.
Road safety analysts continue to express concern over the increasing use of motorcycles for commercial and private transportation, often accompanied by poor adherence to safety regulations, inadequate rider training and low helmet usage.
Need for renewed road safety efforts
The latest figures demonstrate that while Ghana has succeeded in slightly reducing road fatalities, the broader road safety challenge remains far from resolved.
The increases in crashes, injuries, vehicle involvement and pedestrian knockdowns suggest that road safety interventions must be intensified if the country is to achieve significant reductions in deaths and injuries.
Experts have consistently called for stricter law enforcement, improved road infrastructure, enhanced driver education, better pedestrian facilities and stronger regulation of motorcycle operations as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve road safety nationwide.
With more than 1,000 lives already lost within the first four months of the year, the statistics serve as a stark reminder of the human and economic cost of road traffic crashes and the urgent need for sustained action to make Ghana’s roads safer.
