The alarming rise in road accidents in Ghana’s Western Region has led Regional Minister Joseph Nelson to call for a comprehensive national road safety policy aimed at reducing motor accidents.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ meeting themed “Safe and Responsible Driving During the Festive Season” on December 23, Minister Nelson emphasized the urgent need for enhanced police capacity to enforce traffic regulations.
“Listening to the police has clarified the necessary policy interventions. Enforcement is hampered by a lack of resources. Therefore, we must enhance the police’s capacity to check for drunk driving,” he said.
Human Error Dominates Accident Causes
The Western Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD), Superintendent Paul Bruce Amoah, attributed the rise in accidents primarily to driver error. According to MTTD records, the region reported 2,800 accidents with 465 fatalities between January and November 2025 , a significant increase from 1,119 accidents over the same period in 2024.
Superintendent Amoah outlined the key factors:
- Drunk driving
- Overspeeding
- Unnecessary overtaking
“Approximately 90 to 95 percent of accidents are attributable to human error. This clearly indicates that human behavior is the predominant factor in our road safety crisis,” he said.
Operational Challenges for Police
Police commanders confirmed resource constraints as a major obstacle to enforcing traffic laws effectively.
DCOP Frank Abrokwa, Western Regional Police Commander, explained:
“The breathalyzer equipment we use to check drivers’ alcohol levels is intended for health purposes and cannot be used for multiple individuals. We also lack enough units for widespread enforcement.”
Similarly, DCOP Desmond Owusu Boampong, Western Central Police Commander, highlighted low fines as a morale challenge:
“After confirming a driver is over the limit and processing the case in court, the offender is sometimes fined only 30 to 60 cedis. Such negligible penalties undermine our efforts to get drunk drivers off the road.”
Both commanders stressed that stricter laws and meaningful penalties are essential to curb the surge in accidents.
National Context
Ghana recorded 13,000 road accidents with 2,600 fatalities from January to November 2025, indicating a nationwide road safety crisis. Authorities are calling for urgent action, including better funding for enforcement, stronger legislation, and nationwide public sensitization campaigns to curb human error-related crashes, particularly during festive seasons.
The Western Region’s alarming accident statistics underscore the urgent need for a coordinated national strategy to make Ghanaian roads safer.
