The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) of Ghana has called on the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to enforce road traffic regulations by arresting and prosecuting pedestrians who fail to use designated footbridges. This initiative aims to reduce road crashes and fatalities. According to NRSA Director-General Abraham Amaliba, strict enforcement is crucial, especially where footbridges have been provided for pedestrian safety.
The call was made during the launch of the Safe Crossing, Safe Lives pedestrian safety campaign at Madina Zongo in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly on October 28. This campaign, initiated by the Greater Accra Regional NRSA, seeks to promote safe pedestrian behavior and encourage the proper use of footbridges and other designated crossing facilities. The goal is to reduce pedestrian-related crashes and deaths in high-risk locations across the Greater Accra Region, including Adentan, Madina, Lapaz, and Weija.
Abraham Amaliba emphasized that footbridges are not merely decorative but are intended for pedestrian use to ensure safety. He stressed that where footbridges are available, pedestrians who choose not to use them and instead cross the road dangerously should be prosecuted. However, he noted that enforcement would only apply where footbridges have been provided. The NRSA is working with the police and other stakeholders to address road crashes, considering it a shared responsibility.
The issue of pedestrian safety is critical in Ghana, with pedestrian knockdowns accounting for 33% of deaths from reported road crashes. Data from the NRSA indicates that between 1991 and 2025, 63,599 people died in road crashes across Ghana, with about 20,988 deaths resulting from pedestrian knockdowns. The Road Traffic Regulations of 2012 (L.I. 2180) stipulate that pedestrians must use footbridges or underpasses where provided, with penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment.
Dr. Daniel Asare, an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician at the National Ambulance Service (NAS), highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to prevent pedestrian knockdowns and other road crashes. He noted that road crashes not only result in loss of life but also have significant economic implications and strain the country's emergency response system. Dr. Asare urged pedestrians to use footbridges, emphasizing that prevention is better than cure and helps preserve emergency resources.
The Safe Crossing, Safe Lives campaign targets high-risk areas in the Greater Accra Region. The NRSA, in collaboration with metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs), aims to clear traders from pedestrian walkways to prevent knockdowns. This initiative underscores the need for collective action to address the encroachment on road pavements by traders and hawkers, which poses risks to pedestrians.
The NRSA and its partners are intensifying efforts to promote road safety and reduce crashes. By enforcing the use of footbridges and enhancing public awareness, the authorities aim to create a safer environment for pedestrians. The campaign encourages pedestrians to take responsibility for their safety by using designated crossing facilities, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and promoting a culture of safety on Ghana's roads.
Key points
- The NRSA urges police to arrest pedestrians who fail to use footbridges where provided.
- Pedestrian knockdowns account for 33% of road crash deaths in Ghana.
- The Safe Crossing, Safe Lives campaign aims to promote safe pedestrian behavior in high-risk areas of the Greater Accra Region.
