The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has called for stricter enforcement of helmet laws and intensified efforts to combat substance abuse as part of a broader strategy to reduce road accidents and fatalities across the region.
The Minister made the remarks when the newly appointed Upper East Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Eric A. Fordjour, paid a courtesy call on him to formally introduce himself and discuss key road safety concerns affecting the region.
During the meeting, Mr. Fordjour presented a comparative analysis of road safety statistics for the first quarter of 2025 and 2026, highlighting progress made in reducing road crashes, injuries and fatalities.
According to the data presented, reported road accident cases declined significantly from 37 in the first quarter of 2025 to 25 during the same period in 2026. The number of vehicles involved in accidents also reduced from 62 to 42.
The report further revealed a remarkable decline in road crash-related injuries, which dropped from 74 in 2025 to just 14 in 2026. Fatalities also recorded a decrease, falling from 30 deaths in the first quarter of 2025 to 22 in 2026.
While welcoming the improvement, Hon. Akamugri described the figures as encouraging but cautioned against complacency, stressing that the ultimate objective should be the complete elimination of road accident deaths in the region.
“We should not celebrate merely because the numbers have reduced. Our goal must be zero fatalities on our roads,” the Minister emphasized.
Motorcycle Deaths Remain a Major Concern
A major concern raised by the Minister was the alarming number of motorcycle-related deaths recorded in the region.
According to him, 19 of the 22 fatalities reported this year resulted from head injuries sustained by motorcyclists, underscoring the critical importance of helmet use.
Hon. Akamugri attributed part of the problem to the ongoing mining boom across parts of the Upper East Region. He explained that increased economic activity in mining communities has enabled many young people to purchase motorcycles, but a significant number of them ride without protective helmets and often engage in reckless riding.
He noted that these dangerous practices greatly increase the likelihood of severe injuries and fatalities whenever crashes occur.
Call for Expanded Data Collection
The Regional Minister further suggested that the actual number of motorcycle-related deaths could be higher than the official statistics indicate.
He therefore urged the NRSA to broaden its approach to data collection instead of relying solely on reports from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
According to him, local government structures such as assembly members and unit committee members possess valuable information about deaths occurring within their communities and could help provide a more accurate picture of road safety challenges.
“The police only report cases that come to their attention, but assembly members and unit committee members know virtually all the deaths in their electoral areas,” he stated.
He emphasized that incorporating local-level intelligence into road safety data collection would help authorities design more effective interventions.
Stronger Enforcement of Helmet Laws Needed
The Minister observed that riding motorcycles without helmets has become increasingly common across many communities in the region.
He attributed the situation partly to weak enforcement of traffic regulations and expressed concern that some law enforcement officers fail to take decisive action against offenders.
According to him, there is a need for greater commitment by police officers to enforce helmet regulations and prosecute traffic offenders where necessary.
He further stressed the importance of continuous education and attitudinal change among law enforcement personnel to ensure that road safety laws are implemented consistently and fairly.
Substance Abuse Identified as a Growing Threat
Beyond helmet use, Hon. Akamugri identified substance abuse as another major factor contributing to road crashes.
He explained that individuals who drive or ride under the influence of drugs often develop a false sense of confidence and invincibility, leading them to engage in risky behaviour on the roads.
“To fight road accidents, we must also fight substance abuse,” the Minister stated.
He called on the NRSA to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies, district assemblies, and community leaders to tackle the growing problem.
According to him, assembly members can play a critical role by providing intelligence on locations where illicit drugs are sold and consumed.
Innovative Proposal to Improve Helmet Compliance
As part of efforts to improve adherence to road safety regulations, Hon. Akamugri proposed an innovative enforcement strategy that would require motorists arrested for riding without helmets to purchase approved helmets before being allowed to continue their journey.
He believes such a measure would not only enforce compliance but also help save lives by ensuring that offenders immediately acquire the protective gear needed for safer travel.
The Minister noted that the proposal could significantly reduce the widespread practice of riding without helmets while strengthening respect for traffic laws.
Concern Over Faulty Traffic Lights
The Regional Minister also used the meeting to highlight concerns about malfunctioning traffic lights in some parts of the region.
He recalled that upon assuming office in 2025, several traffic lights were not operational. Following investigations, he discovered that a contractor responsible for maintaining the traffic light system had not received payment for an extended period.
Recognizing the public safety implications, he personally engaged the contractor and appealed to him to proceed with repairs despite the outstanding payments.
His intervention led to repair works on traffic lights in Bolgatanga, improving traffic management and road safety within the municipality.
The Minister disclosed that he had also directed that faulty traffic lights in Navrongo and Bawku be repaired.
Although he had not received official reports indicating that the traffic lights remained non-functional, recent concerns brought to his attention suggested that further action may be required.
Hon. Akamugri assured the NRSA of his commitment to engaging the Minister for Roads and Highways as well as the contractor responsible for maintaining the traffic lights to ensure that the affected systems are repaired and properly maintained.
Commitment to Safer Roads
The meeting underscored the growing collaboration between the Regional Coordinating Council and the National Road Safety Authority in addressing road safety challenges across the Upper East Region.
With improved accident statistics already being recorded, stakeholders remain hopeful that stronger law enforcement, enhanced public education, better data collection, improved infrastructure, and sustained efforts to combat substance abuse will further reduce road crashes and save lives in the years ahead.
Source:MyBlueWavesonlin.com | UERCC| Maurice Duncan | Bolgatanga
