Road crashes claim 130 lives in first quarter of 2026 – GNFS

The Ghana National Fire Service is raising alarm over a troubling increase in road traffic deaths, revealing that more families are losing loved ones on Ghana’s roads than at this time last year.

According to a report on adomonline.com, between January and March 2026, the Service responded to 211 road traffic accidents, an increase from 144 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. Behind these numbers are real human stories: 130 lives lost in just three months, compared to 86 deaths recorded a year earlier.

The surge in accidents has also led to a dramatic rise in injuries. While 500 people were injured in the first quarter of 2025, that number has nearly doubled to 932 in 2026, leaving hundreds more dealing with trauma, hospitalisation and long recovery journeys.

For emergency responders, the increase means more frequent calls, more crash scenes and more lives hanging in the balance. For families, it means unexpected grief, disrupted livelihoods and, in many cases, long-term hardship.

Although the Service has not yet outlined the exact causes behind the spike, the figures paint a worrying picture of road safety in the country. The growing number of crashes and the severity of their impacts suggest deeper issues that go beyond isolated incidents.

The situation is now renewing calls for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations, more responsible driving and sustained public education to help reduce the rising toll and make Ghana’s roads safer for everyone.

Road deaths in Ghana rise 18.24% as crashes increase in 2025 - MTTD

NA/BAI

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