The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) in Ghana’s Ahafo Region has warned against the growing use of tricycles, known as pragia, on major highways. This practice poses a serious threat to road safety, according to the department.
Superintendent Ekow Gaisie, the Ahafo Regional MTTD Commander, stated that tricycle operators are routinely using major roads for commercial transport. This activity violates existing road traffic regulations. The affected routes include Goaso–Hwidiem, Goaso–Mim, Goaso–Kukuom, Kenyasi–Ntotroso, and Hwidiem–Kenyasi.
The increasing presence of tricycles on these major highways significantly increases the risk of road accidents. Such roads are designed primarily for taxis, buses, and heavy-duty vehicles, making them unsuitable for tricycles. Road safety remains a critical issue in Ghana, with a reported 2,925 lives lost to road accidents in 2023, according to the National Road Safety Authority. This specific crackdown aligns with broader national efforts to reduce road fatalities and ensure compliance with traffic laws.
Superintendent Gaisie cautioned operators to immediately stop using the highways or face enforcement action. He reiterated that the MTTD will intensify enforcement measures. Additionally, operators who continue to defy the directive will be arrested. Offenders will be apprehended at checkpoints along the affected routes and processed before the courts.
Benjamin Assabil Donkor, Dean of Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the Ahafo Region, confirmed that local authorities will not tolerate the continued use of highways by tricycle operators. Regional MDCEs are preparing to engage riders and transport unions to reinforce that tricycles are for intra-town transportation only. Mr. Donkor also expressed concern that some individuals allegedly use the tricycle transport business as a cover for criminal activities. Unrestricted operations on major roads could worsen existing security challenges in the region, he warned.
This initiative represents a proactive step by security agencies and local authorities to improve road safety in the Ahafo Region. The enforcement actions will likely affect the livelihoods of some tricycle operators but aim to prevent more severe economic costs from accidents. These costs include healthcare expenses, property damage, and lost productivity. Stakeholders will observe how effectively the MTTD and local government can manage this transition and enforce compliance without major disruptions.