In response to the alarming increase in road crashes in the Ashanti Region, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), has organized a specialized training workshop for journalists in Kumasi.
The event, held earlier this week, brought together media professionals from various outlets to sharpen their skills in reporting on road safety, crashes, and public health-related issues. The objective is to empower the media to drive awareness, shape public discourse, and influence policy decisions on road safety through accurate and impactful reporting.
Statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) have painted a grim picture of the region’s road safety situation. From January to March 2025 alone, 194 people have died from road traffic accidents — a sharp rise from 155 recorded in the first quarter of 2024. The same period also saw 1,108 reported crash cases, leading to 1,433 injuries, compared to 1,141 injuries the previous year.
Equally troubling is the surge in pedestrian knockdowns. A total of 156 pedestrians were hit by vehicles during the first quarter of 2025, up from 118 in the same period last year — underscoring the increasing danger for non-motorized road users.
Speaking during the workshop, Mr. Mark Tonyemovor, an Urban Mobility Analyst with Bloomberg Philanthropies, emphasized the need for deliberate planning and investment in road infrastructure that puts safety first.
“Our cities need safer streets, especially in high-traffic and high-risk zones. This is not just about crashes — it’s about lives that could be saved through better design, stronger policies, and media advocacy,” he noted. “Journalists are key players in shaping the narrative and holding institutions accountable.”
He also called on engineers and city planners to prioritize safety in their designs, particularly in areas with high pedestrian activity.
Mr. Kingsley Wireko, Road Injury Surveillance Coordinator at the KMA, expressed concern about the worsening situation and urged collective action.
“The numbers are worrying, and it’s time we all paid attention. Road crashes are preventable, but only if we act — from the authorities down to each road user,” he stated. “Drivers must be more careful, and pedestrians too must remain alert when walking along highways and crossing roads.”
Mr. Wireko also praised the role of the media in raising awareness and changing public behavior through timely and responsible journalism.
The training, which forms part of KMA’s broader strategy to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries, featured sessions on evidence-based reporting, the use of crash data in storytelling, ethical coverage of crash victims, and the role of the media in advocacy and accountability.
Participants commended the organizers for the insightful sessions, describing the training as timely and essential in the fight against road traffic injuries and deaths.
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety supports cities around the world in implementing evidence-based interventions to save lives. Kumasi is one of the selected cities benefiting from this initiative, with focus areas including safer street design, speed management, and improved post-crash response.
With continued collaboration between authorities, journalists, and the public, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly hopes to see a future where road crashes are significantly reduced and the streets become safer for everyone.
