Ashanti Region Sees Alarming Surge in Road Accidents: 194 Dead, 1,433 Injured in Just Three Months
The Ashanti Region is grappling with a growing road safety crisis as 194 people have been killed in road crashes within the first quarter of 2025 alone, according to data released by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA). This marks a sharp rise from the 155 deaths recorded during the same period in 2024.
Between January and March 2025, the region also recorded a total of 1,108 road crash cases, leading to 1,433 injuries, a significant increase from the 1,141 injuries documented during the same period last year.
The data further revealed that pedestrian knockdowns are on the rise, with 156 pedestrians struck by vehicles in early 2025, compared to 118 in the first quarter of 2024 — a worrying trend that highlights the increasing danger facing vulnerable road users.
In response to the escalating fatalities, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), is intensifying efforts to raise public awareness through media engagement.
As part of these efforts, a specialized workshop was organized for journalists in Kumasi to sharpen their focus on road safety reporting. The aim is to use media platforms to highlight the root causes of road crashes, advocate for safer road use, and encourage the adoption of best practices among motorists and pedestrians alike.
During the workshop, Mr. Mark Tonyemovor, Urban Mobility Analyst at Bloomberg Philanthropies, emphasized the critical need for infrastructure that prioritizes safety.
“Our roads must be designed with the safety of all users in mind. Implementing international standards in road construction and urban planning can save thousands of lives,” Mr. Tonyemovor stated.
He also called on urban authorities and road engineers to redesign high-risk areas in the region, particularly within Kumasi and its suburbs, where traffic volumes are high and pedestrian activity is dense.
Mr. Tonyemovor urged stakeholders to view road crashes not just as accidents, but as preventable incidents that require strategic planning, education, enforcement, and engineering.
Meanwhile, the NRSA continues to urge drivers to remain disciplined and law-abiding. Reckless driving, over-speeding, and lack of proper vehicle maintenance remain key contributors to many of the fatal crashes. Pedestrians are also encouraged to be cautious, especially when crossing busy roads or walking along highways.
With these staggering figures already recorded in just the first three months of the year, road safety experts warn that 2025 could see even higher casualty numbers if urgent, coordinated action is not taken.
As the region moves forward, stakeholders are calling for stronger enforcement of traffic laws, sustained public education, improved road design, and a unified commitment to reversing the current trend.
