Takoradi – A disturbing surge in road accidents has gripped the Western Region, claiming 465 lives from 2,800 crashes between January and November 2025. This alarming statistic has ignited calls for a robust national road safety policy and enhanced enforcement.

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, made a passionate appeal for a comprehensive national policy during a stakeholder engagement on Safe and Responsible Driving held on December 23. He emphasized that a well-defined framework is crucial to tackling the escalating number of motor accidents, particularly during busy periods like the upcoming festive season.

“Discussions at the meeting, especially from the Police Service, clearly showed that enforcement is hampered by a lack of resources,” Mr. Nelson stated to journalists on the sidelines of the event. “Strengthening the police’s ability to monitor and prosecute offences like driving under the influence is paramount to reducing these preventable tragedies.”

Meanwhile, Superintendent Paul Bruce Amoah, the Western Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD), pointed to driver behaviour as the primary cause of the increase in accidents. He revealed that driver-related factors are responsible for a staggering 90 to 95 per cent of crashes in the region.

“The main culprits are drunk driving, excessive speeding, and dangerous overtaking,” Superintendent Amoah disclosed. “We are intensifying our sensitization campaigns at transport terminals to educate drivers, but the figures for 2025 represent a significant jump from the 1,119 vehicles involved in road crashes during the same period in 2024.”

The MTTD commander added that investigations into a recent accident at Winneba Junction are ongoing, and preliminary reports suggest driver error was a contributing factor. Authorities are urging all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life.

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