Ghana has taken a major step toward enhancing child safety on its roads with the launch of a new Driver’s Guide and the enforcement of strengthened legal provisions under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153).
The Driver’s Guide—developed by the Lada Institute, a Ghana-based NGO focused on legislative advocacy, in collaboration with the Global Road Safety Partnership—was unveiled at a stakeholder workshop on child passenger safety and injury prevention.
The initiative forms part of ongoing national efforts to curb rising child fatalities and injuries linked to road crashes.
The guide places strong emphasis on the proper use of child restraint systems and carries a clear message for all motorists and caregivers: “Buckle up your child because that child has a right to care.” It provides practical steps for complying with the new law, which now makes the use of child restraints in vehicles mandatory.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Joshua Quist, a Director at the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), said the push for stronger child protection began in February 2023 with a nationwide campaign to amend road traffic regulations. While the passage of the amendment is a historic step, he stressed that the next challenge is ensuring full compliance.
According to him, improving adherence to the law is critical to safeguarding children across the country.
Stakeholders at the event highlighted that child road safety is a shared responsibility involving parents, drivers, schools, enforcement bodies, civil society organisations, and state institutions. Key partners—including the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the Ministries of Transport and Education—reaffirmed their commitment to rolling out the new requirements.
Data presented during the workshop revealed worrying trends. Fatalities increasingly involve younger children, especially those between 0 and 3 years, with many incidents occurring inside vehicles rather than on the road. Experts say this underscores the urgent need for proper restraint systems and safer in-vehicle practices.
Participants also flagged cultural habits—such as carrying children on laps in moving vehicles—as major contributors to severe injuries and preventable deaths. Without proper restraints, children cannot withstand the force of a crash.
Under the amended Act, child restraints are now mandatory for all children up to age 12, aligning Ghana with international best practices. The law also places direct responsibility on drivers and guardians to ensure children are properly seated and secured at all times.
With more than 300 children reportedly killed in road crashes in 2025 alone, authorities say urgent action is required.
The workshop ended with a strong call for intensified public education, strict enforcement of the law, and sustained collaboration across institutions to ensure no child dies needlessly on Ghana’s roads.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com