Dr. Julius Debrah pushes for safer motorcycle transport as Ghana hosts 2026 SAHI Summit

Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah has urged stakeholders in Ghana and across Africa to make road safety a central priority in the growing use of motorcycles for transportation and commercial activities.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Safe African Helmets Initiative (SAHI) Summit, Dr. Debrah stressed the need for stronger safety measures to accompany the increasing dependence on motorcycles across the continent.

He observed that motorcycles have become an essential part of Africa’s transport and economic ecosystem, providing mobility, connecting communities and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people.

However, he warned that the expansion of motorcycle use must go hand in hand with deliberate measures to protect riders and passengers.

Dr. Debrah pointed to Ghana’s Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025, which establishes a legal framework for the commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, describing it as an important development.

He maintained that the effectiveness of the law would depend largely on proper implementation, safety standards, rider education, responsible enforcement and continuous public awareness.

The Chief of Staff also drew attention to the critical role of helmets in preventing serious injuries, arguing that simply wearing a helmet is not enough.

He said helmets must meet approved safety standards, fit properly and be worn correctly to offer meaningful protection during crashes.

For Dr. Debrah, road safety must move beyond legislation and become a shared responsibility involving government, transport operators, riders, enforcement agencies, manufacturers and the general public.

He commended the FIA Foundation, Transaid, the National Road Safety Authority and other partners for bringing the Safe African Helmets conversation to Ghana.

He said Africa must work towards a transportation system where safety is deliberately built into mobility planning rather than treated as an afterthought.

Dr. Debrah's message was anchored on a simple but powerful objective: protecting lives on every journey.

“Every head deserves a safe helmet, every journey deserves a safe return, and every life saved is a family kept whole,” he stated.

The summit is expected to strengthen stakeholder collaboration and advance conversations on helmet quality, rider safety and effective road safety practices across Africa.