The Ahafo Region has seen a notable reduction in road crashes during the first half of 2024, with a 9.38% decline compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Ahafo Regional Head of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Miss Indira Apronti.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Goaso, the regional capital, Ms. Apronti revealed that the region recorded 58 road crash incidents between January and June 2024. This marks a decrease from the 64 cases reported in the first half of 2023.
This reduction in crashes has also led to fewer fatalities, with 15 people losing their lives in 2024, down from 23 deaths during the same period in 2023—a significant 35% reduction.
“Despite the decrease in crashes, we cannot overlook the sharp increase in pedestrian knockdowns,” Ms. Apronti noted.
The region saw a worrying rise in pedestrian-related incidents, with 20 reported cases in the first half of 2024, compared to eight cases in 2023, representing a 150% surge.
Additionally, the number of injuries resulting from crashes rose slightly. In the first half of 2024, 103 individuals were injured, up from 96 injuries recorded during the same period in 2023, a 7% increase. Ms. Apronti pointed out that 87 vehicles, including commercial, private, and motorcycles, were involved in this year’s accidents, compared to 101 vehicles involved in the previous year’s crashes.
To address these ongoing issues, the NRSA has ramped up its road safety education efforts. “We have intensified road safety education outreaches in schools, churches, bus terminals, and local communities to raise awareness as part of the ‘Stay Alive’ campaign,” Ms. Apronti explained. This initiative aims to educate the public on road safety and encourage responsible behavior on the roads.
Moreover, the NRSA has established District Road Committees across the Ahafo Region to further extend its outreach and safety education efforts at the district level.