Ghana’s Transport Minister Kusi Adomako Declares Emergency Over Alarmi

Road Crashes 'Killing Fields' – Kusi Adomako Declares Emergency

Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, has called on the government to treat road crashes in Ghana as a public health emergency, citing a staggering death toll of over 2,500 people in a single year.

Speaking on JoyNews' The Law on Sunday, Adomako highlighted the daily toll of eight Ghanaians losing their lives in road crashes each day, describing it as a "serious national crisis" that requires a stronger response from the state.

A Disproportionate Response?

Adomako compared the road safety situation in Ghana to the country's response to COVID-19, noting that when the number of deaths from the pandemic was considerably lower, the government mobilized substantial resources and introduced extensive measures to control it.

"When COVID came, Ghana had less than 1,000 people dying from COVID within the period of 2020 and 2022 when we stopped the protocols," Adomako said, pointing out the disparity in the level of attention and investment given to the two crises.

The Need for a Fundamental Shift

Adomako called for a fundamental shift in the way road safety is approached, stressing that reducing road deaths would require sustained investment rather than relying largely on enforcement after accidents had occurred.

He particularly highlighted the need for a stronger police presence on the roads, saying visible enforcement could help deter dangerous driving and improve compliance with traffic regulations.

"If we want to enhance road safety, we need to see the police presence on the road," Adomako said.

Technology and Policing Alone Won't Solve the Problem

Adomako, however, stressed that technology and policing alone would not solve Ghana's road safety challenges.

He argued that road safety should be regarded as a shared national responsibility involving motorists, pedestrians, government agencies, law enforcement authorities, and other stakeholders.

"I think road safety should be everyone's responsibility, not only the police, not only NRSA, not only DVLA," Adomako said.

A Broader National Response Needed

His comments come amid continuing concerns over road crashes and fatalities in Ghana, with road safety authorities and other stakeholders repeatedly urging motorists to exercise greater caution and comply with traffic regulations.

Adomako suggested that the scale of the problem requires a broader national response in which road safety is integrated into public health, transport planning, infrastructure development, law enforcement, and community behavior.

Such an approach, he indicated, would also require government to invest more deliberately in preventive measures, including enforcement, technology, and interventions designed to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.

Source: JOY