The Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Chris Oppong has disclosed that approximately 40 percent of cases received at the unit are traumas or injuries, with the majority stemming from road crashes.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the 2022 Kumasi Road Safety Report, Dr. Oppong highlighted that road-related incidents, including pedestrian knockdowns, tricycle, and motorcycle crashes, contribute significantly to the traumas seen at the unit.

He pointed out that a significant number of road accident victims are brought to the unit, resulting in over 200 deaths annually.

Dr. Oppong therefore urged drivers to adhere to road safety measures to help reduce the incidence of road carnages.

Meanwhile, the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti region witnessed a 24 per cent increase in road crashes in 2022, totalling 1,550 cases, compared to 1,255 cases in the previous year.

This was revealed in the 2022 Kumasi Road Safety Report launched by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

While road crashes surged, the report highlighted a notable 16 per cent decrease in fatalities, dropping from 160 in 2021 to 134 in 2022.

This statistical shift suggests a complex landscape of increased accidents but a reduced impact in terms of lives lost.

According to the report, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists constituted a significant 84 per cent of the fatalities in 2022.

Males were identified as the most affected group, representing 78 per cent of deaths and 67 per cent of serious injuries.

The majority of fatalities occurred among individuals aged 20 to 29 years.

The comprehensive report was a result of collaborative efforts between the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the Ghana Police Service, the National Road Safety Authority, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Initiative for Global Road Safety, and Vital Strategies.