The Chief of Staff, Hon.Dr Julius Debrah, has called for a stronger commitment to road safety, particularly for motorcycle riders, stressing that the increasing use of motorcycles across Africa must be matched with strict safety standards, effective enforcement and continuous public education.
He made the call when he joined partners and key stakeholders to open the 2026 Safe African Helmets Initiative Summit in Ghana, where participants discussed measures to improve motorcycle safety and reduce road crashes and fatalities on the continent.
The summit brought together stakeholders within the road transport and safety sectors to deliberate on the growing role of motorcycles in African economies and the urgent need to ensure that riders and passengers are adequately protected.
Motorcycles driving livelihoods
Mr. Debrah noted that motorcycles had moved beyond being a means of transportation to becoming an important part of the economic and social fabric of many African communities.
According to him, motorcycles connect markets, communities and families while providing livelihoods for millions of people across the continent.
He, however, cautioned that the rapid growth in motorcycle use should not come at the expense of human lives.
He said the expansion of motorcycle transportation must be accompanied by responsible riding, appropriate regulation and a sustained commitment to safety.
“Growth must come with responsibility,” he stressed, emphasising that governments, transport operators, riders, manufacturers and the public all had important roles to play in creating safer roads.
Legal framework
The Chief of Staff pointed to Ghana’s Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025, as an important step in establishing a legal framework for commercial motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles.
He said the legislation had provided the necessary legal foundation for the regulation of such forms of transportation, but cautioned that legislation alone could not guarantee safety on the roads.
He said the implementation of the law must be supported by effective standards, proper rider training, responsible enforcement and extensive public education.
According to him, safety must become part of the culture of road users rather than something people observe only because they fear punishment.
‘Helmet is a lifeline’
Mr. Debrah described the motorcycle helmet as a critical safety device and urged riders to treat it as an essential part of every journey.
He said a helmet should not be regarded as merely an accessory or an item worn to satisfy law enforcement officers.
Rather, he said, it could mean the difference between life and death in the event of a crash.
He therefore stressed the need for riders to use helmets that meet recognised global safety standards and are properly fitted.
He further urged riders to wear their helmets on every ride, regardless of the distance involved.
“Every ride must end with a safe return home,” he emphasised.
Safety beyond compliance
The Chief of Staff said the country’s approach to motorcycle safety should go beyond compliance with existing laws.
He called for continuous public education to make safe riding behaviour an integral part of the country’s road transport culture.
He also underscored the importance of proper training for riders, saying adequate preparation was essential as Ghana strengthened the regulation of commercial motorcycle operations.
He said enforcement should also be firm but fair, ensuring that road users understood the importance of the rules while creating an environment in which compliance was encouraged.
Stakeholder collaboration
Mr. Debrah commended the FIA Foundation, Transaid, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and other partners for bringing the Safe African Helmets Initiative conversation to Ghana.
He said the collaboration demonstrated the importance of partnerships in addressing road safety challenges, particularly at a time when motorcycles were playing an increasingly significant role in transportation and economic activity.
He noted that road safety could not be treated as an afterthought in the country’s efforts to improve mobility and drive economic growth.
Instead, he said safety considerations must be integrated into policies and programmes designed to move people, goods and services.
Protecting families
The Chief of Staff said the ultimate objective of road safety initiatives should be to protect human lives and preserve families from the devastating consequences of road crashes.
He noted that behind every road crash was a family, community or livelihood that could be affected.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to remain committed to measures that would prevent avoidable deaths and serious injuries on the country’s roads.
He said the message from the summit was clear and should resonate with every road user: every head deserves a safe helmet, every journey deserves protection, and every life saved keeps a family whole.
The summit is expected to further strengthen collaboration among governments, road safety institutions, development partners and other stakeholders in promoting the use of quality helmets and safer motorcycle transportation practices across Africa.
The discussions also underscored the need for African countries to ensure that the growth of motorcycle-based transport is accompanied by policies and interventions capable of protecting riders, passengers and other road users.
For Ghana, the renewed focus on motorcycle safety comes at a time when the country is strengthening the regulatory framework for commercial motorcycles and related forms of transport, making enforcement, training, public awareness and access to quality safety equipment increasingly important.
