The Road Travel Safety and Tourism in Ghana Project seeks to promote responsible road use, reduce travel-related risks and encourage cooperation among institutions involved in tourism and road safety, as well as strengthen confidence in Ghana’s tourism sector

Speaking at the launch in Accra, Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, said road safety was a key factor in destination development and visitor satisfaction.

She said the tourism experience began from the moment visitors arrived in Ghana, adding that safe and comfortable movement to destinations was essential to how they perceived the country.

“As we continue to position Ghana as the preferred tourism destination in West Africa, we must recognise that safety is one of the strongest assets any destination can offer. Beautiful attractions alone are not enough. Visitors also want the assurance that they can move around our country safely and comfortably,” she said.

Mrs Houadjeto said the growing number of visitors participating in tourism programmes such as “December in GH” made road safety a critical consideration for the industry.

“When visitors feel safe on our roads, they travel with confidence. They stay longer, explore more, recommend Ghana to others and return again,” she said.

Mrs Houadjeto said road safety required collective responsibility from government agencies, private sector operators, motorists and other road users.

She said although Ghana’s transition to right-hand driving 52 years ago represented an important achievement, the current priority was ensuring responsible conduct on the roads.

Mrs Houadjeto expressed concern over deaths and injuries resulting from road crashes, saying addressing the challenge required sustained public education, behavioural change, discipline and effective enforcement of traffic regulations.

She assured the GHATEX and the NRSA of the GTA’s continued support for initiatives that would improve road safety and enhance Ghana’s tourism image.

Mr Abraham Amaliba, Chief Executive Officer of the NRSA, described the project as timely, saying it aligned with national efforts to reduce road traffic crashes.

He said effective road safety management required a combination of education, enforcement, engineering, evaluation and emergency response.

“We must strengthen enforcement of traffic regulations, modernise infrastructure and ensure that drivers are properly trained and certified. We must also use data to identify high-risk areas and improve emergency response systems,” he said.

Mr Amaliba said safer roads contributed to national development by protecting lives, supporting economic activity and improving public confidence in the transport system.

He said road safety could not be achieved by the government alone and required the active participation of motorists, pedestrians and communities.

Madam Adeline Boateng, President of GHATEX, said the association initiated the project because road safety had become an important consideration for tourism growth and travel decisions.

She said GHATEX, established in 2023 with support from the GTA, comprised retired staff of the Authority committed to supporting sustainable tourism development through advocacy and partnerships.

Madam Boateng identified poor road conditions, speeding, inadequate signage, weak driver training, unsafe road user behaviour, enforcement challenges and gaps in accident management as some of the factors affecting road travel in Ghana.

She said the association was working with the GTA and NRSA to educate the public through awareness campaigns, including animated videos and other educational materials, while creating a network of stakeholders to promote safer road practices.

The project is expected to involve collaboration among public institutions, private sector organisations and tourism stakeholders to improve road safety awareness and support the growth of both domestic and international tourism.

Madam Boateng appealed to the media, development partners, government institutions and private sector actors to support efforts aimed at improving road safety and promoting Ghana as a safe tourism destination.