MISORNU Safety Centre, a private security entity, has called for heightened road safety measures to protect schoolchildren as they return to the classroom for the 2026/27 academic year.
A security advisory statement issued by the centre on Sunday, September 6, said there was a need for enhanced security for children because the reopening of schools across the country would lead to increased pedestrian and vehicular movement, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods.
The advisory statement, signed by the Executive Director of the centre, DCOP (Rtd.) David Senanu Eklu, stressed that against the backdrop of worrying road crash statistics released by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), it was important to protect schoolchildren.
MISORNU Centre stated, for instance, that in 2025, the country recorded 2,561 pedestrian knockdowns, while 328 of the 2,949 people killed in road crashes were below 18 years.
Again, it said between January and April 2026, the NRSA recorded 666 pedestrian knockdowns and 181 pedestrian deaths nationwide, describing the trend as "an immediate public safety crisis requiring urgent intervention."
“These figures should concern us all because children are among the most vulnerable road users, and the increased movement associated with school reopening requires motorists, parents, schools, transport operators and public authorities to take additional precautions,” the center added.
Recommendations
To help stem the tide, MISORNU Safety Centre urged motorists to reduce speed around schools, pedestrian crossings, bus stops and residential areas; avoid dangerous overtaking and distracted driving; and always give way to pedestrians, particularly children.
The centre called on parents and guardians to accompany younger children, where practicable, and reinforce safe road-crossing practices, including the use of pavements and designated pedestrian crossings.
It also stressed the need for parents to discourage children from using electronic gadgets while walking near traffic.
“School bus and commercial drivers transporting pupils must avoid speeding and overloading, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and use safe pick-up and drop-off points that do not expose children to moving traffic,” the center added.
MISORNU Centre also called on transport unions and ‘okada’ riders’ associations to deliver short daily road safety briefings to their members through their various communication platforms, reinforcing safe and responsible road-use habits, particularly during school commuting hours.
It further underscored the need for school authorities to reinforce road safety education during assemblies and classroom engagements and provide appropriate supervision during school arrival and closing periods.
“The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service should consider a special school safety operation, involving the strategic deployment of personnel to high-risk school zones, major intersections and pedestrian crossings during peak school hours.
“The operation should combine visible traffic enforcement and management with targeted engagements involving pupils, parents, school authorities, school-bus operators, drivers and motor riders,” the center stated.
Again, it called on the road sector agencies, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) to urgently inspect school zones and ensure that pedestrian crossings, warning signs, speed-reducing measures and other road safety facilities were visible, functional, and appropriate for protecting children.
