Assessment Of SDG 3.6: An Analysis Of Ghana’s Road Safety Policies And Strategies In Relation To The Global Plan For The Decade Of Action For Road Safety 2011-2020

Abstract

Road traffic Injury has become a public health concern globally, killing 1.35 million people every year. In Ghana, RTI rates are unreasonably high; ironically, the country has committed to international objectives to significantly reduce RTIs and has designed strategies to meet those objectives. This study therefore assessed Ghana’s performance on SDG 3.6 and the targets of the Global Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. This necessitated an analysis of Ghana’s road safety policy and strategies aimed at achieving the goal and target, in relation to the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. The study also highlighted the challenges in road traffic injury prevention in Ghana. This is a qualitative research that adopted an analytical approach. The study relied on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was purposively collected from road safety experts and personnel through semi-structured interview. Secondary sources included journal articles, reports, internet sources, books, etc. Data obtained was analyzed using content analyses. Key findings indicate that Ghana could not meet SDG 3.6 and the targets of the decade. The current trend of road traffic injuries and fatalities show a significant increase instead of decline, although there was initial decline in the early years of the decade. Ghana, through the NRSA and stakeholder institutions prepared a strategy and action plans based on the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. It was found that the objectives of the strategy aligned with the five pillars of road safety as presented in Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. The study also revealed that Ghana is gradually embracing the safe systems approach to fighting RTIs by strengthening the entire road transport system. The pitfalls were in the implementation of the strategy; where financial inadequacies, centralization of implementation, and lack of oversight affected the implementation of the strategy and action plans. Core challenges in RTI prevention were identified to be lack of regulation of road transport sector, bad road network, corruption, inadequate funding, and low enforcement of road traffic regulations. The study recommends that a national strategy inspired by the Global Plan of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 which reflects the realities of the Ghanaian context be developed to fight RTI. Other recommendations include improving public transport; separating trunk roads from settlement areas; conducting road safety audits at various stages of road design and construction; constructing more trauma centers, and regulating the road transport sector. Key Words Road Transport, Road Traffic Injuries, Sustainable Development Goals, Safe Systems. Approach Global Plan.