Road carnage: Ban ‘aboboyas’ from highways – Stakeholders demand

The rising number of road accidents in the country has prompted stakeholders to demand stricter enforcement of road safety laws and measures to discourage reckless driving, particularly the use of motorcycles and tricycles on major highways. This call to action comes in the wake of the tragic Ofankor accident on August 13, which resulted in 11 deaths and 13 injuries, sparking concerns over the growing number of preventable fatalities on Ghanaian roads.

Former United Nations governance expert, Professor Duah Agyemang, has suggested an immediate ban on two- and three-wheeled motorized vehicles, commonly known as "aboboyas" or "pragyia," from using major highways. He emphasized that tricycles operating in high-speed lanes pose a significant danger to motorists, especially when they make stops to pick up or drop off passengers.

Prof. Agyemang proposed restricting these vehicles to rural areas and inner roads within communities, where they would not disrupt regular highway traffic.

The tragedy at Ofankor has prompted various stakeholders to voice their concerns and call for stronger enforcement of road safety regulations. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has joined the call, urging the government to strictly enforce the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (LI 2519), particularly provisions concerning speeding, dangerous driving, and the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles.

The Church highlighted the need to curb the increasing number of incidents involving minors riding tricycles and called for swift action to protect lives.

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) reports that a record 2,994 people were killed in road crashes in 2025, the highest number of fatalities in 35 years, while 16,714 people sustained injuries between January and April of this year. Urgent measures are needed to curb this alarming trend, as identified by various stakeholders and experts who advocate for a comprehensive approach to road safety in Ghana.