Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi
11 min read
04 Dec
04Dec

2025 has emerged as a sobering year for road users in Ghana. According to the latest report from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), 1,937 people lost their lives in road crashes between January and August alone, with a staggering 10,957 people injured during that period. Those numbers are not just statistics: they represent families shattered, livelihoods disrupted, and communities in mourning. With nearly 2,000 fatalities and tens of thousands injured in just eight months, the urgency of safe driving and reliable insurance has never been clearer.

What the Numbers Reveal

Between January and August 2025, the NRSA recorded 9,626 road-accident cases nationwide, involving a total of 16,348 vehicles. Among the vehicles involved were private cars, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles, reflecting that no road user is spared. The main contributing factor? Speeding remains a top culprit, reportedly responsible for over 80 % of crashes. Other factors, including reckless pedestrian activity (e.g., roadside hawking), poor road design, and inadequate maintenance, further compound the danger. Given these trends, accidents ranging from minor collisions to fatal crashes are no longer a possibility for some; they are becoming almost an inevitability for many road users.

Why This Makes Motor Insurance More Critical Than Ever

When accidents are this frequent and often severe, having motor insurance isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Here’s why:

  • Financial protection: A serious crash can mean expensive vehicle repairs, medical bills, or even loss of the vehicle altogether. For many families, this can wipe out savings or plunge them into debt. Insurance helps mitigate those financial shocks.
  • Medical and injury coverage: With nearly 11,000 people injured in just eight months, many likely required medical attention. Insurance (or comprehensive policies) can help cover medical and rehabilitation costs, easing the burden on victims and their families.
  • Liability protection: Accidents don’t just affect you; they impact third parties, pedestrians, and other road users. Insurance can cover damages or losses arising from property damage or injuries to others.
  • Peace of mind & security: Knowing that you’re insured brings peace of mind. In a context where crashes are frequent and often unpredictable, that peace of mind is itself valuable.

Road Safety + Responsible Driving + Insurance

Insurance alone can’t end road carnage, but it is a crucial part of the solution. The NRSA’s data shows that speeding, poor road design, pedestrian hazards, and maintenance issues contribute heavily to accidents.That means we must approach the problem on multiple fronts:

  • Advocating for better road infrastructure and maintenance.
  • Encouraging enforcement of traffic laws (speed limits, pedestrian safety, vehicle maintenance).
  • Promoting road safety awareness campaigns for drivers and pedestrians alike.
  • And ensuring widespread access to motor insurance for all kinds of drivers (private, commercial, motorcycle riders).

Why Digital / Easy-Access Insurance Services Matter Especially Now

Given how pervasive crashes are, insurance needs to be accessible, affordable, and easy to get. For many Ghanaian drivers, especially commercial operators and motorcyclists, traditional barriers (cost, paperwork, inconvenience) can deter uptake.That’s where Maya comes in. Maya makes it easier for drivers to obtain and renew policies quickly on WhatsApp, get insured immediately after purchase, and manage claims seamlessly. This convenience can significantly increase insurance penetration, meaning more people are protected before calamity strikes.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The 2025 data from NRSA is a stark reminder: road crashes in Ghana are not rare, isolated events, but they are frequent, deadly, and unpredictable. Every time we drive, ride, or walk on roads, we are placing ourselves and our loved ones at risk.Motor insurance should not be seen as an optional extra. It is a critical safety net, a responsible decision to protect life, health, and finances. As accidents mount, delays cost more than just money; they cost lives.Now is the time for every driver to ask: “Am I insured?” Because in 2026, Ghana, being uninsured, may no longer be an option.

References

  • “1,937 killed, 10,957 injured in road accidents between January and August 2025 – NRSA.” Pulse Ghana. (Pulse Ghana)
  • “1,937 deaths, 10,957 injuries recorded in road crashes from Jan–Aug 2025.” CitiNewsroom. (CitiNewsroom.com)
  • “Road accidents in Ghana claimed nearly 2,000 lives between January and August 2025 – Report.” Ghana Business News. (Ghana Business News)
  • “Road crashes claim 1,937 lives, leave 10,957 injured between January and August 2025 – NRSA.” GBC Ghana. (GBC Ghana Online)

“Eight Ghanaians die daily in road crashes – NRSA.” Ghana News Agency. (Ghana National Association)

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