In the dim early hours of Saturday, August 26, 2023, Dr. Anthony Akayeti’s phone buzzed with the kind of news no one wants to receive. His younger brother, Emmanuel Akayeti, a seasoned and beloved journalist with GBC-URA Radio, had been involved in a horrific motorbike accident.
The crash occurred in Bolgatanga as Emmanuel was returning from an all-night prayer meeting.
Riding along the hospital intersection near the SSNIT traffic light, Emmanuel collided with a truck merging from the Black Star Hotel Road. The impact was catastrophic. Suffering severe head injuries, he was rushed to the Upper East Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Despite the tireless efforts of the medical team, Emmanuel succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the next day.
Dr. Akayeti, a lecturer at the Tamale Technical University, recalls the harrowing experience with a heavy heart. “The doctors did everything they could, but the odds were against him. The head scan revealed extensive damage. They told me his survival was 50/50 and I told them to do all that they could to bring him to life. I slept in the hospital and around 4 am the following day, the doctor called and broke the sad news to me,” he says with a broken voice.
Emmanuel’s untimely demise has left a void that extends far beyond his immediate family. As a broadcaster with over two decades of experience, Emmanuel’s voice had become synonymous with information and education in the Upper East Region.
Now, his wife and children must navigate life without the emotional and financial support he provided.
“The absence of Emma has created a big vacuum in the family. Emma was our family’s pillar. We are all still struggling to come to terms with how this happened. Finally, the burden is too much. He has children, and he was taking care of the children’s school fees, but in his absence, even though his wife is working, we cannot leave everything to her. We have to help. At this level, maybe it is better because they are in the lower classes. But if these children are getting into the tertiary school, surely the lady alone cannot handle it and we have to come in,” Dr. Akayeti added.
Emmanuel Akayeti’s story is one of many, reflecting a grim reality in the Upper East Region, where motorbikes—the lifeline of transportation—have become a double-edged sword.
Motorbikes: Lifeline or Death Trap?
In the Upper East Region, motorbikes and tricycles dominate the transportation sector. Affordable, nimble, and well-suited to the rugged terrain, motorbikes and tricycles are essential for both daily commuting and short-distance travel. For many families, they are not just a means of transport but also a tool for livelihoods. Yet, their prevalence has come at a steep cost.
Another tragic story is that of Ayinzeme Ayimbire Emmanuel, affectionately known as Birayy. A rising community leader with aspirations to represent the Zuarungu Central Electoral Area, Birayy’s life was cut short on October 25, 2023. That evening, after sharing dinner with his wife, Gloria Adongo, and their two children, he set out on his motorbike for a meeting about the upcoming N’daakoya Festival. He never returned. Hours later, Gloria was met with tearful neighbors delivering the devastating news of her husband’s fatal accident.
“After eating the food, he told me that he was going to the N’daakoya festival meeting. Later that same day, I was not feeling well and went to the hospital for a check-up. It was at the hospital that I heard that someone had an accident at the police station side. So I said by now people are there as usual taking pictures. I didn’t even know it was my husband who was involved in the accident. When I got home, I heard people crying and when I asked, they told me my husband had an accident and died,” Gloria says, with her voice trembling.
“He used to send the children to school and bring them back. But now, I have to do that all alone. He was paying the fees and now that he is not there, I have to do that all alone.
Anytime I closed from work and got home late, he would prepare food ready for me. But now, when I close late and get home, I still have to prepare food.” Like many families in the region, Gloria and her children now face a precarious future, both emotionally and financially.
While some, like Gloria, lose loved ones outright, others are left with life-altering injuries.
James Nana Tsiquaye, a broadcast journalist with Dreamz FM, is one such survivor. On his way for lectures in Navrongo, a dog suddenly darted into the road, with little time to react, he hit it and somersaulted, leaving him with a fractured leg and he was confined to bed for three months.
“Looking at the money that I have spent, the trauma I have gone through, it is not easy. If I see people riding on top speed, I get scared. I can’t even watch accident scenes on social media. Sincerely speaking, the accident has a toll on me and I am wishing that this doesn’t happen to anyone,” he shares.
James is one of the many injured individuals whose lives are irrevocably changed, contributing to a growing toll of economic and social burdens.
A grim tally
Statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) reveal a disturbing pattern. Between January and November 2023, 62 fatalities were recorded in the Upper East Region, with motorbikes involved in a significant portion of these accidents. While the number of deaths slightly declined to 60 by November 2024, injuries rose sharply, from 139 in 2023 to 174 in 2024.
Motorcycles accounted for 93 accident cases in 2023, followed by tricycles at 33 and bicycles at 5. By 2024, motorcycle-related accidents slightly decreased to 88, but they remained the leading cause of road casualties. The NRSA attributes these accidents to overspeeding, drunk driving, reckless overtaking, and non-compliance with helmet and seatbelt regulations.
“Here in the Upper East region, you will realize that most of the accidents that happen on our roads are as a result of motorbikes. You will also realize that we are losing more of our human resources in this region. Also, we have more men dying of road accidents than females. About 10 percent of the deaths recorded are 18 years and below while 90 percent represents the age range of 18 years and above. We’re losing breadwinners, young professionals, and future leaders, which is a significant blow to the region’s human resources,” says Zachariah Laari, the Regional Director of the NRSA.
The Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), John Quarshie, observed that the presence of stray animals, poor road conditions, and visibility issues further exacerbate the risks of road accidents.
“Ideally, per the law, animals are not supposed to ply the road by themselves, they must be guided by someone. But this is a situation, they are all over even on our highways. So, you must anticipate hazards, and that is the requirement of a defensive driver or rider,” Mr. Quarshie stated.
A complex problem
The reliance on motorbikes is deeply rooted in the socio-economic realities of the region. For many, owning a motorbike is not a luxury but a necessity. Public transport options like buses and taxis are scarce in rural areas, leaving residents with few alternatives. However, this dependence has created a culture where safety measures are often overlooked. Helmets, for instance, are frequently viewed as optional rather than mandatory.
According to John Quarshie, the Public Relations Officer of the NRSA, minors riding motorbikes and the use of worn-out tires are other contributors to the high accident rate. “Many of these accidents are preventable if riders adhere to safety regulations,” he observes.
The festive seasons and election years bring additional risks. Jubilant celebrations often lead to reckless behavior, with riders speeding or riding under the influence.
Chief Superintendent Williams Kpormegbe, the Regional Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), warns that offenders will face stringent legal consequences. “The law must be a deterrent to those who flout safety regulations,” he emphasizes.
Efforts to stem the tide
In response to the crisis, various stakeholders have launched initiatives aimed at reducing road crashes. The “Stay Alive Operation-Comply” campaign, spearheaded by the NRSA, MTTD, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the National Insurance Commission (NIC), focuses on raising awareness about road safety. Educational drives highlight the importance of wearing helmets, adhering to speed limits, and maintaining vehicles in good condition.
The Upper East Regional Director of DVLA, Abaidoo Emmanuel called for stricter enforcement of licensing regulations to ensure that only qualified individuals are allowed on the roads. Additionally, the authority is advocating for regular vehicle inspections to eliminate worn-out tires and other mechanical defects.
“We have vehicles with “Sakora tires” and with our weather in Bolga, they can burst at any time. We also undertake an exercise to remove those with the “killer lamps” because those lights can blind you when you are on the road at night”.
As road accidents in the region continue to occur, Ernest Osei Adofo, Regional Director of NIC says there is a need for vehicle and motorbike owners to insure their vehicles and motorbikes. “While insurance cannot replace lost lives, it can provide some financial relief for affected families,” he noted.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified road safety as a critical issue. Its 2023 status report on road safety in Africa underscores the need for holistic efforts to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3.6. Ghana’s participation in this initiative signals a commitment to reversing the tide of road carnage.
The way forward
For families like the Akayetis and Ayimbires, the pain of loss is immeasurable. However, their stories serve as a clarion call for collective action. Beyond regulatory enforcement, community involvement is crucial. Local leaders, religious organizations, and schools can play pivotal roles in promoting a culture of safety.
Insurance is another avenue for mitigating the financial impact of accidents. Investing in infrastructure is equally vital. Improved road networks, better lighting, and designated lanes for motorbikes and bicycles can significantly reduce accidents. Policymakers must prioritize these investments to safeguard lives.
A plea for change
The motorbike, a symbol of resilience and practicality in the Upper East Region, should not continue to be an instrument of tragedy. As families mourn their lost loved ones, the call for safer roads grows louder. Emmanuel Akayeti, in his lifetime, often used his platform to educate and inform. Today, his legacy inspires a collective resolve to address the road safety crisis. Let his story, and those of others who perished or were maimed, be a reminder that every life lost is one too many. Together, through education, enforcement, and empathy, the region can chart a safer path forward.
A feature by Joshua Asaah|A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|
