Dr Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, has called for firm, fair and consistent enforcement of helmet regulations to reduce deaths and serious injuries involving motorcycle riders and passengers on Ghana’s roads.
He said the effectiveness of road safety laws depended not only on legislation but also on proper implementation, public education, appropriate safety standards and sustained enforcement.
Dr Debrah made the call at the opening of the 2026 Safe African Helmet Initiative (SAHI) Summit in Accra.
The three-day summit, being held from August 19 to 21, brings together policymakers, road safety experts, enforcement agencies, manufacturers, researchers, motorcycle riders and development partners from across Africa to discuss ways to improve motorcycle helmet safety.
The event is co-hosted by the FIA Foundation, Transaid and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
Law Must Be Backed By Enforcement
Dr Debrah said motorcycles had become an increasingly important means of transportation across Africa, connecting communities, moving goods and providing livelihoods, particularly for young people.
He said the increasing use of motorcycles, however, created an urgent need to make their operation safer.
The Chief of Staff said the passage of the Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2025, which provided legal backing for the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, was only the beginning of efforts to improve motorcycle safety.
“A law does not by itself train the rider, remove an unsafe helmet from the market or apply the rules fairly. That requires coordination, public education, proper standards, responsible enforcement and the cooperation of the riders themselves,” he said.
He said helmet use should not be seen merely as a legal requirement but as a safety measure aimed at ensuring that riders and passengers returned safely to their families.
Dr Debrah also cautioned against the use of substandard helmets, saying helmets that only created an appearance of safety could not adequately protect riders.
He called for greater attention to helmet standards, testing and certification, rider training, licensing, enforcement and public education.
He said Government remained committed to evidence-based road safety policies and collaboration with the FIA Foundation, Transaid, NRSA and other partners towards the global target of reducing road deaths and injuries by half by 2030.
Motorcycle Crashes Remain Major Concern
Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, said motorcycle crashes continued to pose a significant road safety challenge in Ghana.
He cited NRSA figures indicating that 2,949 people died in road crashes in 2025, with about 1,345 of the fatalities involving motorcycle crashes.
He said 383 people died in road crashes in January 2026, compared with 281 deaths recorded in January 2025, highlighting the need for stronger interventions.
Mr Nikpe said Ghana had strengthened the regulatory framework governing motorcycle use through measures including the Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2025, and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026.
The measures included requirements for commercial motorcycle licensing and a minimum age of 21 years for operating commercial motorcycles and tricycles.
He said the NRSA, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and Ghana Standards Authority were working to ensure that helmets entering the Ghanaian market met prescribed safety standards.
“Market surveillance will be strengthened. The importation of substandard helmets and other little protective clothings will also be checked in our markets to ensure that we obey the standard that has been set,” he said.
The Minister also announced plans to support the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to conduct sustained patrols on highways and inner-city corridors to ensure compliance with helmet requirements.
Quality Helmets Can Save Lives
Madam Aggie Krasnolucka, Programmes Director at the FIA Foundation, said motorcycles had become an integral part of transportation systems across Africa but remained among the riskiest modes of road travel.
She said motorcycle fatalities in Africa had doubled since 2013, while riders faced up to 35 times higher risk of dying in a crash compared with occupants of cars.
She said motorcycle riders were particularly vulnerable to head injuries but noted that quality helmets, when properly worn, could reduce the risk of death by more than six times and brain injuries by up to 74 percent.
Madam Krasnolucka called on African countries to enact and enforce helmet standards while ensuring that certified and affordable helmets were readily available to riders.
The opening ceremony ended with the signing of a charter by representatives of the FIA Foundation, the Ministry of Transport and Transaid, committing to advance helmet safety and improve motorcycle road safety in Ghana and across Africa.
