WHO-Trained Journalist Wins Ghana Award for Exposing Road Safety Epidemic

The country saw a 65% increase in road deaths between 2016 and 2021, making road crashes one of its most urgent public health and development challenges.

A compelling investigation into Ghana’s worsening road safety crisis has earned Dasmani Issifu Laary, Senior Editor at the Ghana News Agency, the Road Safety Category Award at the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) National Journalism Awards—the second consecutive year a WHO-trained journalist has received the honour.

Laary’s in-depth report, “Deadly Highways: Fixing Ghana’s Silent Epidemic,” uncovers systemic weaknesses behind Ghana’s soaring road fatalities, analyses ongoing reforms, and spotlights successful safety measures implemented in other African countries.

Africa’s Road Crisis: Deadlier Than Anywhere Else

Road deaths are rising faster in Africa than in any other region. According to WHO:

• Nearly 250,000 people died on Africa’s roads in 2021

• The WHO African Region accounts for 20% of global road deaths

• The region has just 3% of the world’s registered vehicles

Ghana is no exception. The country saw a 65% increase in road deaths between 2016 and 2021, making road crashes one of its most urgent public health and development challenges.

Laary’s investigation describes road crashes as “a devastating reality that can no longer be ignored”.

Exposing Systemic Failures Behind Road Deaths

Laary’s report takes a holistic look at Ghana's road safety shortcomings, examining:

• Excessive vehicle speeds

• Poor or unsafe road infrastructure

• Weakened law enforcement

• Outdated vehicle and motorcycle helmet safety standards

• Insufficient inter-agency coordination

• Lack of pedestrian protection measures

The story also highlights the disproportionate risks to pedestrians, who account for a large share of fatalities in urban areas.

Impact: A National Debate and Government Review

Following publication, the report triggered widespread public discussion and pressure for change.

“The story helped ignite national debate, with the government now reviewing its laws,” Laary said. “State agencies that were previously not involved in road design now demand involvement.”

The investigation has reshaped public understanding of accountability across Ghana’s transport ecosystem.

Lessons from Other African Countries

Laary’s reporting draws comparisons with successful reforms in other African nations:

• Uganda: Mandatory GPS tracking for commercial and public transport vehicles

• South Africa: Robust enforcement, including sobriety checkpoints and strengthened traffic policing

• Rwanda: Helmet standard enforcement and stricter motorcycle regulation

These provide a roadmap for Ghana to adopt proven safety reforms.

Celebrating Journalism That Saves Lives

Accepting his award in Kumasi alongside Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, Laary said:

“Road safety is a moral and national responsibility. Every life saved is a legacy preserved.”

His recognition follows Jonathan Donkor, another WHO-trained journalist who won in 2023 for his investigation into the deadly impact of used tyres on Ghanaian roads.

Globally, WHO-trained journalists in India, Nigeria, and Viet Nam have also won major national and international awards over the last two years for their road safety investigations.

The Safe Systems Approach: A Blueprint for Change

Experts interviewed in the report stress that Ghana must adopt the Safe Systems Approach—the evidence-backed model at the heart of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.

This approach focuses on:

• Reducing kinetic energy in crashes

• Designing forgiving roads

• Creating safer vehicles

• Ensuring responsible road user behaviour

• Strengthening enforcement

• Protecting the most vulnerable road users

The global goal is to halve road deaths and injuries by 2030, a target Ghana is currently far from reaching.

WHO Praises Investigative Reporting for Driving Reform

Dr Nhan Tran, Head of Violence and Injury Prevention at WHO, commended Laary’s achievement:

“Journalists have a crucial role in calling for proven policies and actions that save lives. This award shows how powerful good reporting can be in driving reform.”

The WHO Road Safety Reporting Initiative, part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, trains journalists to deepen their investigative work on road crashes—now the leading cause of death for children and youth aged 5–29.

A Call to Action for Ghana

Reflecting on his win, Laary said:

“I am grateful to WHO for deepening my knowledge in solutions journalism. I’m reflecting on how to use the award to spur road safety reform.”

His report concludes with a powerful message:

“Every family and road user deserves a safe journey. By heeding experts and demanding reform, Ghana can begin to tackle its silent epidemic—one mile at a time.”