An accident in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region has claimed four lives and left 14 others with severe injuries at a market. The deceased persons are made up of three women and a one-year-old girl.

The unfortunate incident, which occurred on Thursday, August 14, 2025, came after a fuel tanker veered into a crowd at a market where the victims were seated.

This information was disclosed by the Assembly Member for the Asukawkaw Electoral Area, Mark Oduro, while addressing the media.

“It is a very sad day for our community. The victims were market women going about their normal activities when the tanker hit them. We have lost three women and a girl believed to be about one year old. Fourteen others have sustained various injuries,” Mr. Oduro said.

Earlier, an accident at Bechem in the Bono Region claimed the lives of two individuals, including a church leader of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. The fatal crash, which occurred on Sunday, August 10, left several others sustaining injuries, including children.

According to reports, the victims, who were close to Aburaso, were coming from a camp meeting they attended in Kumasi. Reportedly, the tyre of the bus carrying the individuals had a fracture, leading to a burst, hence causing the vehicle to somersault.

On Monday, July 28, a tragic road accident on the Atwedie stretch of the Kumasi–Accra Highway resulted in the deaths of sixteen members of the Saviour Church of Ghana.

Earlier this month, an accident at Asamankese in the Eastern Region on Wednesday, August 6, reportedly claimed the life of an individual. Officials are yet to confirm any further casualties. The unfortunate incident occurred after a tipper truck veered off the road, crashing into shops around the Dukes Filling Station.

According to sources, many other individuals sustained injuries. Reports have it that the tipper truck was overspeeding when it veered off the road. “It happened so fast—one moment the road was clear, the next, the truck was crashing into everything in its path,” an eyewitness recounted.

Following the incident, it is said that emergency services went to the scene to rescue individuals who were trapped. Medical assistance was also provided, according to reports. Per reports, the Police Service has commenced investigations into the accident, with the driver of the tipper truck providing assistance. Local officials have reportedly given assurance of aiding the victims of the accident.

The deceased were reportedly returning from the church’s annual programme in the Eastern Region. Their deaths were confirmed after their bus crashed into an oncoming fuel tanker. All 16 victims were laid to rest in a single large grave on Thursday, July 31, by the Obogu community and church leadership.

Ghana has reported a surge in the number of fatalities recorded due to road crashes. In the first half of 2025, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) reported one thousand five hundred and four (1,504) deaths, compared to one thousand two hundred and thirty-seven (1,237) fatalities reported in the corresponding period in 2024, representing a 21.58 percent increase.

According to provisional data released by the National Road Safety Authority in collaboration with the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), a total of 7,289 road crashes were recorded between January and June this year.

Per the data, a total of twelve thousand three hundred and fifty-four (12,354) vehicles were involved in the road crashes. Owing to the road accidents, a total of eight thousand three hundred (8,300) individuals sustained injuries. Also, one thousand three hundred and one (1,301) pedestrians were knocked down across the country.

According to the recent data provided by the National Road Safety Authority, on average, eight (8) lives are lost every day due to road crashes. Each day, forty (40) road crashes are recorded, and forty-six (46) individuals sustain injuries. Daily, sixty-nine (69) vehicles and motorcycles are involved in road crashes.

To aid in combating road crashes, the National Road Safety Authority has called for stern enforcement of traffic regulations and public education. The NRSA has called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and increased public education to help curb the rising number of road accidents across the country.

The Road Traffic Act, 2004, an Act to consolidate and revise the Road Traffic Ordinance, 1952 (No. 55), provides for more comprehensive regulation of road traffic and road use, to ensure safety on the roads and to provide for related matters.

A person who drives a motor vehicle dangerously on a road commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction:(a) where (i) a bodily injury does not occur, or (ii) a minor bodily injury does occur to a person other than the driver, to a fine not less than one hundred penalty units and not exceeding two hundred penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding nine months, or to both the fine and imprisonment;(b) where bodily injury of an aggravated nature occurs to a person other than the driver, to a minimum fine of two hundred penalty units and not exceeding five hundred penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than twelve months and not exceeding two years, or to both the fine and imprisonment;(c) where death occurs, to a term of imprisonment for not less than three years;(d) where there is damage to state property, to a fine of not less than one hundred penalty units and payment for the damage caused in an amount determined by the Court.

The Court may, on the conviction of a person under subsection (1):(a) order the payment of appropriate compensation to an injured person or to the estate of that person; or(b) order the withdrawal of the licence for a period of not less than three years and not more than five years.

A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, or to both the fine and imprisonment.

A person commits an offence if, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, that person:(a) causes anything to be on or over a road;(b) interferes with a motor vehicle, trailer, or cycle; or(c) interferes, directly or indirectly, with traffic equipment, where it would be obvious to a reasonable person that to do so would be dangerous.

A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months, or to both the fine and imprisonment.