Transport Minister Launches Road Safety Reforms
The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has launched a nationwide dissemination exercise for the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), introducing major reforms designed to strengthen road safety and improve traffic enforcement.
The sensitisation campaign, which will cover all 16 regions, will ensure drivers, commuters, transport operators, fleet managers, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders understand the new legal requirements.
Mr Nikpe explained that the legislative process was thorough and participatory, involving consultations with transport unions, road safety experts, the police, Okada Riders’ Associations, Parliamentary Committees, the National Insurance Commission and automotive standards specialists.
Among the key reforms, the Minister outlined the deployment of automated traffic enforcement systems such as speed and red‑light cameras, a demerit point system linked to drivers’ licences, and stiffer penalties for serious traffic offences.
He also announced a reduction in the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05, a measure aimed at curbing drunk driving.
The new regulations set stricter standards for commercial and public transport operations, including mandatory speed limiters, axle‑load controls, and regulated use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for fare‑paying passenger services.
Mr Nikpe noted that the success of these reforms will depend on effective implementation and cooperation among agencies such as the National Road Safety Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department, the National Insurance Commission, transport unions and pedestrians.
He called on transport operators, law enforcement agencies, the media and all road users to take ownership of the new regulations and make road safety a daily responsibility, stating that “no Ghanaian should lose their life simply by trying to move from one place to the other.”
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
