Benefits of interventions given real values, for the first time, by the Walkability App in Kumasi, Ghana

As part of the Trans-Safe Project, the Akenten Appiah-Menka University in Kumasi and Walk21 collaborated in a walkability project to assess the impact of certain interventions in the public space to improve walking safety in Kumasi ,Ghana. The report can be found here.

Dr Albert Awopone, Coordiantor of the Trans Safe living Lab in Kumasi, Ghana said: “I am delighted to learn about the significant improvements in walkability, perceived safety, comfort, and enjoyment following the interventions. The measurable impact demonstrated by this first application of the tool is indeed a major milestone. It reinforces the potential for low-cost, high-impact strategies to transform road safety across Africa.” 

This study measured walking experiences before and after some improvements in the public space and analysed the changes on a road dominated by educational institutions (basic school, Senior High School, university). Between 2020-2022 there were 86 recorded crashes on this particular road corridor. This resulted in 57 crash victims (7 fatal, 26 serious injuries and 24 minor injuries). 41% of the crashes (n35) included a pedestrian. 92% of drivers were driving faster than the 50km/h speed limit.

The aim of the project is to better understand the effects of pedestrian-focused interventions on various aspects of the urban environment, including the construction of two raised pedestrian crossings, provision of road signs (e.g. speed limit, school zone, warning and mandatory), new road markings, and construction of rumble strips (in advance of raised pedestrian crossings), ensuring that walkability improvements are effective, sustainable, and beneficial for the community. 

More than 500 pedestrians were interviewed in the street, using the Walkability App, before and after the interventions. Before the works, in November 2024, only 14% of the walking experiences were reported as positive citing comfort and safety as the key concerning factors.

In response to the concerns raised, in December 2024 improvements were made to the street including:
Construction of 2 raised pedestrian crossings; Provision of road signs: Speed limit, school zone, warning and mandatory; New road markings; and,  Construction of rumble strips (in advance of raised pedestrian crossing). 

After the works 37% of the walking experiences were reported to be positive. Safety concerns decreased by 48 percentage points and pedestrian comfort concerns decreased by 57 percentage points too.

Carlos Cañas, Walkability App Coordinator at Walk21, said: “ It is rewarding to see a street being made safer, more comfortable and enjoyable for people, after only a few relatively low cost interventions. Congratulations to Kumasi and the AAMUSTED team for pionnering this effective, low cost approach to transforming road safety. Being able to put values on the impact of these works hopefully encourages more interventions in more places in the future – not just in Kumasi, but across Ghana and the whole Africa region”.