The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has revealed that an average of 10 people die daily from road crashes in Ghana, with four of those deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents, popularly known as “okada.”

According to the institution, unpublished data from the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) exposes significant gaps in road safety and policy implementation. The data indicates institutional weaknesses within the transport and road sectors, noting that existing policies are not being fully enforced to achieve their intended outcomes.

In 2025, a total of 14,743 road crashes were recorded, representing a 9.3 per cent increase over 2024. Fatalities rose sharply to 3,653 — a 21.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Of the total deaths, 39 per cent involved motorcyclists and bicyclists, reflecting a 35 per cent rise over 2024 figures.

The statistics were disclosed during the 53rd Presidential Address of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, on Thursday, February 19, delivered by its President, Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse, under the theme “Doing It Well, Doing It Right,” which focused on road infrastructure development in Ghana.

President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse

Ing. Hesse noted that evidence shows fatalities can be significantly reduced through consistent and visible road markings on major highways, stressing that such interventions must be urgently implemented.

He emphasised the need to prioritise human lives in road infrastructure planning and execution.

As part of recommendations to address road infrastructure challenges, he also called for stronger collaboration to develop transparent guidelines for approving single-source and selective tendering processes.