Pedestrian Crisis: Kumasi Records Most Deaths and Injuries in Road Safety Report
New report by Johns Hopkins University and CSIR-BRRI highlights alarming pedestrian crash statistics from 2022 to 2024 in Greater Kumasi Metropolitan area.
- Kumasi Metropolitan and Kwadaso recorded the highest pedestrian casualties
- Other municipalities like Oforikrom, Old Tafo, and Suame also faced significant pedestrian crash incidents and fatalities
- The report aims to guide local authorities in enforcing speed limits and improving pedestrian safety on high-risk roads
A recent road safety study has unveiled alarming statistics on pedestrian deaths and serious injuries within the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan area.
Conducted between 2022 and 2024, the research highlights the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly as a hotspot for pedestrian crashes, raising serious concerns about road safety in the region.
The observational study was a collaborative effort between Johns Hopkins University (JHU), USA, and Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI), Kumasi, using detailed data from the Kumasi BIGRS Office.
According to the report, the Kumasi Metropolitan and Kwadaso Municipalities topped the list, recording a combined total of 520 casualties—465 serious injuries and 55 deaths—in Kumasi Metropolitan, and 499 casualties—424 injuries and 75 deaths—in Kwadaso.
Other municipalities were also heavily impacted:
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Oforikrom Municipal: 377 crashes with 35 deaths and 342 serious injuries
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Old Tafo: 226 incidents with 30 deaths and 196 serious injuries
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Suame Municipal: 214 crashes with 34 deaths and 180 serious injuries
The least affected areas were Asokwa with 116 incidents (18 deaths, 98 serious injuries) and Asokore Mampong with 97 crashes (17 deaths, 80 serious injuries).
Chief Research Scientist Ing. Francis Afukaar of CSIR-BRRI explained that the report aims to assist local assemblies in assessing vehicle speeds through systematic community surveys, targeting enforcement strategies to reduce speeding and enhance pedestrian safety on local and collector roads.
Story by Ama Unique
