Bloomberg Philanthropies Joins KMA to Commemorate 2025 World Day of Remembrance with Visit to Crash Survivors at KATH
Bloomberg Philanthropies, in collaboration with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), has embarked on a compassionate visit to road crash victims receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), as part of activities marking the 2025 World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. The solemn commemoration highlighted the need for safer roads, stronger road safety systems, and a renewed commitment to reducing preventable deaths and injuries in Ghana.
The delegation, led by senior representatives of Bloomberg Philanthropies and the KMA, toured various wards at the Accident and Emergency Centre of KATH, offering words of encouragement, emotional support, and essential care items to victims. The visit formed part of a broader global campaign to honour lives lost to road crashes, recognize the suffering of survivors, and acknowledge the crucial work of emergency responders and medical personnel.
Speaking during the visit, officials from Bloomberg Philanthropies emphasized that road crashes remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in developing cities where rapid urbanization and increasing vehicular traffic have placed significant pressure on road safety infrastructure. They reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to working closely with local authorities, such as the KMA, to implement evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing fatalities, improving road design, strengthening data systems, and enhancing enforcement.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive of the KMA, who joined the delegation, described the occasion as both emotional and inspiring. He noted that the stories shared by victims—many of whom suffered life-changing injuries—serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for behavioural change among road users, including responsible driving, adherence to traffic regulations, and respect for pedestrian safety. He added that the Assembly, with support from partners like Bloomberg Philanthropies, has already initiated several road safety projects aimed at reducing crashes, especially in high-risk areas across Kumasi.
Medical staff at KATH expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that survivors often experience physical, emotional, and financial distress long after the incident. The gesture, they said, brings hope, comfort, and reassurance to patients and their families. According to the Accident and Emergency unit, the hospital continues to record a worrying number of crash victims involving motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and pedestrian knockdowns.
Some survivors who interacted with the team shared personal testimonies of their ordeal, expressing gratitude for the support and calling on authorities to intensify public education campaigns, enforce road safety laws, and ensure stricter penalties for reckless driving.
The 2025 World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, observed globally under the theme “Justice, Compassion and Safer Streets for All,” calls on governments, institutions, and communities to acknowledge the devastating impact of road crashes and commit to measures that protect lives. This year’s activities in Kumasi included awareness walks, community outreach programmes, and inter-agency road safety engagements spearheaded by the KMA, Bloomberg Philanthropies, security agencies, and health institutions.
The visit to KATH concluded with a renewed pledge by both the KMA and Bloomberg Philanthropies to intensify collaborative efforts in promoting safer mobility, improving emergency response systems, and advocating for policies that place human life at the centre of urban transportation planning.
The commemoration ended on a reflective note, honouring those who lost their lives, supporting those who survived, and reminding the public that safer roads are a shared responsibility.
