Road Traffic Trauma in Accra: An Epidemiological Analysis for Pre-hospital Care System Strengthening, 2021–2026

Road traffic trauma constitutes a critical public health crisis in urban Ghana, with Accra experiencing a disproportionate burden. This policy brief presents an epidemiological analysis of road traffic injuries in Accra from 2021 to 2023, aiming to inform targeted interventions for strengthening the national pre-hospital care system. The analysis synthesises and triangulates data from the National Road Safety Authority, the Ghana Police Service, and a retrospective review of trauma registries from three major tertiary hospitals in Accra. Findings indicate a persistently high incidence of road traffic collisions, with vulnerable road users—pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists—comprising over 60% of casualties. A high prevalence of severe head trauma, orthopaedic fractures, and multi-system injuries was identified. Critically, a significant majority of cases arrived at healthcare facilities via informal transport, substantially delaying definitive care. The analysis underscores a systematic misalignment between these prevalent, high-acuity injury patterns and the current capacity of the fragmented pre-hospital emergency medical services. Consequently, this brief argues that these epidemiological insights are foundational for evidence-based policy. It recommends a Ghana-centric model focusing on: integrating a centralised, coordinated emergency dispatch system; prioritising practical first responder training for police and commercial drivers; and re-equipping services to manage the identified trauma patterns effectively. Strengthening this first link in the trauma care chain is imperative for reducing preventable mortality and morbidity, advancing progress towards Sustainable Development Goal targets, and providing a replicable framework for similar urban centres across the region.