Pedestrians in Ghana are risking their lives – we studied what’s distracting them while walking

Enoch F Sam and Prince Kwame Odame

Walking has health and environmental benefits – but it’s not always a person’s choice for getting around. And it does come with hazards. One fifth of the people killed on the roads globally are pedestrians.

In Ghana, like other developing countries, walking is the main mode of travel. A 2012 survey found that 64.4% of the workforce went to work on foot.

Ghana’s National Road Safety Authority reported 2,930 pedestrians were knocked down in 2021 and 831 died.

Pedestrians are vulnerable for several reasons. The design of road infrastructure is one. Research has shown that the absence of sidewalks forces pedestrians into the road, exposing them to motorised transport that heightens the risk of traffic crashes and injuries.

Risky in-traffic pedestrian walking behaviour is also a factor. Consuming alcohol, chatting with others, and using a mobile phone all heighten the risk of injuries.