Road construction in Ghana has seen major strides over the years, with massive projects rolled out in cities, towns, and even remote areas. From new interchanges in urban centres to improved highways linking key regions, the country has made visible progress in expanding its road network. These developments are commendable and necessary for economic growth, improved connectivity, and national development.
However, a critical observation remains: while we build wider roads, longer bridges, and modern interchanges, we often neglect essential features that ensure safety, emergency responsiveness, and road discipline. Many of these roads are built without adequate consideration for the everyday needs of pedestrians, cyclists, emergency service vehicles, and urban management systems. As a result, preventable accidents occur, response times in emergencies are delayed, and chaos often replaces order.
This calls for a complete shift in how we plan and design our roads. It is time for the Ghana Highways Authority, under the Ministry of Works and Housing, to enforce new standards in all future road contracts, making it mandatory to include dedicated emergency lanes, clearly marked pedestrian and bicycle paths, and enforceable regulations to remove hawkers and control the placement of billboards.
These elements are not just technical add-ons; they are critical components of a safe, organised, and modern transport system. Ignoring them undermines the full value of our investments in road infrastructure. The importance of these additions cannot be overstated if Ghana is to build roads that serve all users and meet international safety standards.
Dedicated Emergency Lanes: A Lifesaving Necessity
Emergencies are time sensitive. In every second that an ambulance or fire tender is delayed, a life may be lost or property destroyed. Yet, in many parts of Ghana, emergency services are forced to meander through gridlocked traffic because there is no dedicated emergency lane. Creating clearly marked, protected emergency lanes on major roads would allow the Ghana Ambulance Service and Ghana Fire Service to navigate swiftly during emergencies. These lanes should be part of the road design from the start, not afterthoughts. In Europe and the US, emergency lanes are standard and respected. Ghana must follow suit, especially in urban centres where traffic congestion is heavy and emergency response delays are common.
These lanes would also double as priority routes for evacuation during disasters such as floods, fires, or accidents, enabling emergency vehicles and relief operations to function without interruption. A dedicated lane offers a fast, clear path, ensuring that help reaches the scene as quickly as possible while reducing the risk of further chaos on already congested roads.
In many emergency situations, minutes, even seconds, can mean the difference between life and death. Without a dedicated emergency lane, ambulances and fire trucks are often forced to slow down or stop completely due to heavy traffic congestion. This delay not only affects the person in critical need but also puts additional pressure on the emergency response teams, who are trained to act swiftly. In cases like road accidents, fires, or sudden health complications, the absence of a clear passageway often turns a preventable loss into a tragic reality.
Incorporating dedicated emergency lanes into all new road designs is not just a matter of convenience; it is a matter of national safety and preparedness. These lanes must be legally protected, with strict penalties for misuse by non-emergency drivers. Proper road signage, public awareness campaigns, and surveillance enforcement should accompany their implementation. Additionally, integration with traffic signal control systems can give emergency vehicles priority passage at intersections. With a well-planned emergency lane system, Ghana can drastically improve emergency response times and save countless lives every year.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Lanes: Safe Access for All
Another gaping hole in Ghana’s road infrastructure is the absence of pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes. Every day, pedestrians are forced to walk dangerously close to moving vehicles. Cyclists weave through traffic, risking their lives on roads that were never meant for them. The solution is simple but powerful: every road contract awarded must include mandatory pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes. These should be clearly demarcated, well-paved, and continuous. In cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam, bicycles are treated as legitimate modes of transportation, with safe, dedicated lanes. Ghana should not wait for more lives to be lost before embracing this model.
Incorporating these lanes is not just about preventing accidents; it’s also about promoting alternative modes of transportation that are affordable, eco-friendly, and accessible to the average Ghanaian. Many citizens walk or cycle because they cannot afford a vehicle or public transport. Others choose it as a healthier lifestyle. Providing the right infrastructure will reduce the pressure on existing transport systems, lower carbon emissions, and promote a more active population. Safe roads should serve every user, not just motorists.
Emergency Ready and Organized Road Networks
With dedicated lanes for ambulances, fire trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians, Ghana’s roads will be safer, more organised, and far more efficient. Accidents are not only tragic; they also disrupt the entire traffic system. When an accident happens and no emergency lane exists, the chaos is multiplied, delaying help and sometimes leading to additional collisions. An emergency-ready road network ensures faster intervention, quicker clearance of accidents, and less risk of additional harm. It also allows authorities to coordinate traffic management better, especially in cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, where congestion is chronic.
When roads are designed with emergencies in mind, it also improves public confidence in the country’s infrastructure and emergency services. Citizens are more likely to cooperate, remain calm, and act responsibly when they know that systems are in place to protect them in a crisis. It also gives emergency service providers the peace of mind that their work will not be hampered by structural deficiencies. Making emergency preparedness a key part of road design is an investment in national resilience.
Hawking on Roads: A Dangerous Culture
Street vending has become a survival strategy for many Ghanaians, but its location must be controlled. When hawkers crowd pedestrian paths or even occupy parts of the road, they not only expose themselves to danger but also contribute to congestion and accidents. Drivers are distracted, pedestrians are forced into traffic lanes, and emergency vehicles have to slow down. Designated market spaces, modern vending kiosks, and enforced relocation programs must be implemented across the country. While we must respect the economic needs of hawkers, we cannot continue to sacrifice road safety. The authorities must partner with local assemblies and urban planners to create vending zones that are safe, accessible, and regulated.
Additionally, hawking on major roads weakens the overall appearance and function of public infrastructure. It leads to littering, informal settlements, and damages sidewalks, all of which reduce the lifespan of roads and increase maintenance costs. More importantly, it reflects poorly on urban planning and management in the eyes of both local citizens and international visitors. By moving hawking activities to well-managed, planned commercial zones, we not only improve safety but also enhance the beauty and value of our cities.
Billboards and Roadside Signages: Regulate or Remove
Another often ignored issue is the dangerous placement of massive billboards and directional signs along major roads and highways. These structures block visibility, distract drivers, and in some cases, fall onto roads during storms, causing fatalities. The solution lies in strict zoning regulations and enforcement. Roadside billboards should only be permitted if they meet height, size, and distance requirements that ensure they do not obstruct views or pose any risk. Also, digital billboards that flash or change frequently should not be allowed near intersections or pedestrian crossings, as they distract drivers.
Beyond the safety concerns, poorly regulated billboards create visual clutter and reduce the overall clarity of road signs. Drivers often struggle to locate traffic signs or exit points because they’re hidden behind oversized advertisements. The result is last-minute braking, wrong turns, or missed exits, all of which contribute to accidents. A proper signage policy must prioritise functionality and visibility over commercial profit. Clear roads make for clear minds, and that clarity can prevent fatal mistakes.
Raising Standards: Ghana Must Aim for International Benchmarks
Ghana is not an island. If we want to attract investment, tourism, and international trade, our road infrastructure must meet global standards. Safe, accessible, and emergency-ready roads are the backbone of any thriving economy. They support efficient logistics, protect citizens, and show that a nation is forward-thinking and people-centred.
By adopting best practices from countries with excellent road safety records, Ghana can reduce road accidents, save lives, and promote responsible urban development. It is not enough to pour asphalt and paint white lines; we must build roads that work for everyone, including the most vulnerable.
Ghana must take bold action now. The Ministry of Works and Housing, through the Ghana Highways Authority, must urgently amend all road construction contracts to reflect a modern, safety-first approach to infrastructure development. This means mandating the inclusion of dedicated emergency lanes to allow for swift response by ambulances, fire trucks, and police; constructing well-defined pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths to protect non-motorized road users; establishing regulated vending and hawking zones to bring order and safety to busy areas; and enforcing strict billboard placement policies to eliminate visual obstructions that often contribute to accidents. These are not optional upgrades; they are essential features that should form the baseline of every road project in the country.
For far too long, road construction in Ghana has focused mainly on vehicular convenience, neglecting the lives and safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency responders. If we truly want to reduce the alarming rates of road accidents and improve emergency outcomes, we must rethink our priorities. Safe roads are the foundation of any thriving society; they make transportation more efficient, encourage healthy lifestyles, reduce pressure on hospitals, and restore discipline to urban movement. Every Ghanaian, regardless of age, income, or location, deserves the right to walk, ride, drive, or be rescued without facing unnecessary danger. It’s time we shifted from simply building more roads to building better, smarter, and safer ones that meet the needs of all who use them, today and for generations to come.
