Ghana's National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) will enforce mandatory vehicle towing and technology-driven traffic enforcement nationwide from 2027. These significant reforms aim to curb the increasing number of road traffic fatalities across the country. The Director-General of NRSA, Abraham Amaliba, announced these measures during a stakeholder engagement tour in Bolgatanga.
Mandatory vehicle towing will require all motorists to subscribe to a towing company or an insurance provider. This initiative targets reducing accidents caused by stationary broken-down vehicles. The Traffic Tech system will replace manual traffic enforcement with automated speed cameras and red-light detectors. Offenders will receive instant text notifications with video evidence and an applicable penalty.
These reforms are a direct response to Ghana's alarming rise in road traffic deaths. Road accidents now claim more lives than the COVID-19 pandemic did, highlighting a critical public health and economic issue. The NRSA seeks to eliminate human interference in traffic law enforcement, which has contributed to persistent road safety challenges. Productive citizens are frequently lost to preventable crashes, impacting the nation's economic growth.
Mr. Amaliba stated, "We are aware of the rise in fatalities, and the numbers don’t look good. More people are dying through road traffic accidents than what happened during COVID." He emphasized the Authority's determination to change this narrative and reduce the economic consequences of road crashes. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, welcomed the planned reforms. He praised the NRSA for "thinking outside the box" and introducing innovative solutions.
The NRSA will conduct a six-month nationwide public education and sensitization campaign before the full system rollout in 2027. This period will ensure public awareness and understanding of the new regulations. Decisions by motorists and insurance providers regarding towing subscriptions will be crucial. Law enforcement agencies will need to adapt to the new technology-driven enforcement methods. These changes are expected to significantly impact road safety statistics and public behaviour on Ghana's roads.
The implementation of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2519 is central to the mandatory towing service. This instrument will provide the legal framework for requiring motorists to engage with towing services. The move away from manual enforcement through Traffic Tech could reduce corruption and improve efficiency. This represents a substantial investment in road safety infrastructure and technology. The success of these reforms will depend on consistent enforcement and public cooperation. This initiative underscores Ghana's commitment to addressing a pressing national crisis.