Kumasi records 30% decline in road crashes in 2023 – Report

Road crashes in the Ashanti Regional capital Kumasi have seen a significant 30% decline in deaths and injuries, according to the 2023 Kumasi Road Safety Report.

The report, compiled by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) Road Injury Surveillance Unit in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropists, revealed that road traffic crashes dropped from 1,550 in 2022 to 1,085 in 2023. Fatalities also fell by 37%, from 134 deaths in 2022 to 84 in 2023.

Details

Speaking at the launch of the 3rd Global Road Initiative on Monday (18 November) KMA’s Road Injury Surveillance Coordinator, Mr Kingsley Wireko, highlighted critical accident-prone intersections in the city, including Anloga Junction, Santasi Oteng Nkwanta, Silicon Hotel Junction, and Krofrom Traffic Intersection.

He also identified key fatal crash corridors, such as Osei Tutu Boulevard, Sunyani Road, Bekwai Road, Eastern Bypass, and Accra-Kumasi Road.

The report showed that; 61% of deaths involved pedestrians, while 84% of fatalities were men, primarily aged 30 to 39. 41% of deaths occurred on weekends, with 30% of vehicles speeding above limits.

“There is an improvement, but there is more to do. Education needs to be intensified. We don’t want this data to sit on a shelf; we need stakeholders to use it actively,” Wireko said.

Overwhelmed Emergency Response

Dr. Chris Oppong, head of the Accident and Emergency Department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, called attention to the strain on medical resources.

“While we have the expertise to respond to these injuries, the resources do not always exist, and the overwhelming numbers stretch our capacity,” he noted, urging the findings to be a catalyst for action.

Call to Action

Kumasi’s Mayor, Hon. Samuel Pyne, appealed for increased police presence at high-risk intersections and corridors to ensure road safety.

“The development of a nation is also about safeguarding its human capital and protecting lives. While we still have victims and fatalities, the report shows that the numbers are declining. I appeal to all stakeholders to support these efforts, and I especially urge our media partners to use their platforms to educate the public on the importance of road safety and self-protection,” he said.

Reporting By Baaba Belinda Baidoo, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

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