Accra, Sept. 6, GNA – The MISORNU Safety Centre, a non-governmental organisation focused on public safety and security awareness, has called for heightened road safety measures to protect schoolchildren from harm as basic schools in Ghana reopen for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency on Sunday, the Centre urged motorists, parents, schools, transport operators, and public authorities to take additional precautions as the reopening came with increased pedestrian and vehicular movement.
“Motorists are to reduce speed around schools, pedestrian crossings, bus stops and residential areas, avoid dangerous overtaking and distracted driving and always give way to pedestrians, particularly children who are among the most vulnerable road users,” it said.”
The Centre quoted statistics from the the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), which showed that Ghana recorded 2,561 pedestrian knockdowns in 2025, with 328 of the victims below 18 years.
“Between January and April 2026, the Authority recorded 666 pedestrian knockdowns and 181 pedestrian deaths nationwide,” it said.
The Centre said school reopening should be treated as an important road safety period requiring increased vigilance, enforcement, education and sustained traffic management, and proactive coordination among various agencies.
It encouraged the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to consider a Special School Safety Operation, involving the strategic deployment of personnel to high-risk school zones, major intersections, and pedestrian crossings during peak school hours.
“The operation should combine visible traffic enforcement and management with targeted engagements involving pupils, parents, school authorities, school-bus operators, drivers, and motor riders,” it said.
Parents and guardians were also advised to accompany younger children where practicable and reinforce safe road-crossing practices, including the use of pavements and designated pedestrian crossings.
“Children should be discouraged from using electronic gadgets while walking near traffic. School-bus and commercial drivers transporting pupils must avoid speeding and overloading, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, and use safe pick-up and drop-off points that do not expose children to moving traffic,” the release added.
It advised transport unions and commercial motor riders (okada) associations to deliver short daily road safety briefings to their members through various communication platforms, and reinforce safe and responsible road-use habits.
It further called on school authorities to highlight road safety during assemblies and classroom engagements and provide appropriate supervision during school arrival and closing periods.
“Road agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies should urgently inspect school zones and ensure that pedestrian crossings, warning signs, speed-reducing measures, and other road safety facilities are visible, functional, and appropriate for protecting children,” it added.
The MISORNU Safety Centre is committed to building a safety-first mindset and culture through public education, research and practical safety and security awareness.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Ernest Nutsudah
Email: [email protected]
