LRC advocacy for standardized motorcycle helmets in Ghana

Enock Jengre, Programme Officer at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), has called for the urgent standardization of crash helmets for motorcycle riders in Ghana as part of efforts to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities.

This advocacy comes under the project titled “Supporting Advocacy Interventions Towards the Passage into Law of the Reviewed Road Traffic Act and the Development of Standards on Motorcycle Helmets,” spearheaded by LRC in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety.

Speaking at the Road Safety Journalist Training in Accra recently, Jengre emphasized the need for helmet standards that are suited to Ghana’s climatic conditions and safety requirements.

The training, which focused on speed management and helmet standards, aims to empower journalists to amplify road safety advocacy and demand the enforcement of protective measures.

This conversation has become necessary as Ghana faces significant challenges in road safety, with motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities being a major concern.

From January to June 2024 alone, the country recorded 1,237 road crash deaths and 7,561 injuries, largely attributed to overspeeding, wrongful overtaking, and low compliance with helmet use laws.

The LRC highlighted the gaps in Ghana’s road safety legislation, including the outdated Road Traffic Act of 2004 and weak enforcement mechanisms, which fail to meet global standards.

“Standards ensure minimum safety requirements, and developing national standards for helmets will not only protect riders and passengers but also contribute to reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities,” Jengre noted.

The Role of Standards in Road Safety

A standard, as defined during the training, is a document established by consensus and approved by a recognized body to provide rules, guidelines, or characteristics for achieving optimal order in a given context.

Collaborating with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the LRC is advocating for the adoption of helmet standards that prioritize safety, quality, and protection for riders.

The LRC outlined a multifaceted strategy to achieve its goals, including partnering with entities such as the Ministry of Transport, National Road Safety Authority, and Police MTTD to review speed management policies and helmet standards.

Again, training journalists to report on road safety issues effectively as well as utilizing traditional and digital media to raise awareness.

There was also a call for designing helmets suitable for Ghana’s environment through partnerships with local and international stakeholders.

Mavis Obeng Mensah, Communications Officer for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, emphasized the pivotal role of journalists in shaping public discourse on road safety.

She urged reporters to delve deeper into the human stories behind crash statistics, highlighting the socio-economic toll of preventable road crashes.

“Impactful storytelling can drive real change,” she said, stressing the importance of reporting that not only informs but also inspires action.

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