Ghana’s Roads of Sorrow: Tankers, dump trucks, and trailers on the country’s deadliest corridors

Ghana's roads have become increasingly perilous, with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) reporting a 18.2% increase in road crash deaths in 2025 compared to the previous year. This surge is primarily attributed to heavy-duty vehicles, including fuel tankers, dump trucks, and articulated trailers, which are crucial to the nation's economy.

However, these vehicles often suffer catastrophic failures when they crash, particularly when their air brake systems malfunction. These systems, which rely on compressed air stored in cylinders, are more complex than hydraulic systems and have multiple points of failure, such as leaks, blockages, overheating, and cracked drums.

Leaking brakes are a significant contributor to these accidents, with up to 90% of crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles being due to brake failures. Poor maintenance and delayed repairs are the primary causes of these leaks, which can lead to unsafe operating conditions as the air pressure drops below 80 PSI. When brakes fail, even a seemingly routine need to slow down can turn into a devastating collision, especially on hilly stretches where continuous braking is required.

This pattern of accidents underscores the urgent need for rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols for heavy-duty vehicles on Ghana's roads.