National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, has announced that officers from the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) and Road Safety Inspectors will be deployed across major highways nationwide starting November 1, 2024.
The deployment aims to address the rising number of road accidents and promote adherence to traffic regulations and safety standards. This initiative follows a disturbing rise in road crashes in recent weeks, with the NRSA reporting the loss of 30 lives and multiple injuries within a month. The authority hopes that this joint effort will significantly reduce road-related incidents and improve safety for all road users.
In its October 17, 2024 press release, the NRSA reiterated the importance of this initiative, citing the urgency to mitigate the alarming increase in road accidents.
“This notwithstanding, the NRSA intends to commission a multi-stakeholder investigation into the crash occurring in Kwapia near Obuasi, under Regulation 8 of the National Road Safety Authority Regulations 2022 (L.I. 2468).
“While these crashes are unrelated to political activities, the Authority wishes to remind Political Parties of the road safety risk associated with electioneering campaigns and the need to observe the Road Safety Code for Political Parties as the electioneering activities reach their peak in the coming weeks,” part of the statement read.
In light of this, the Authority has directed all commercial road transport operators (both passenger and goods), transport departments, and units of public agencies and private organisations, including school bus services and ride-hailing service operators, yet to register their operations with the Authority to ensure compliance or face sanctions prescribed by the National Road Safety Authority Act, 2019 (Act 993) or National Road Safety Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2468).
“All inter-city passenger (long-distance) commercial road transport companies, unions, or operators must ensure the implementation of prescribed road safety standards and controls, including pre-departure checks, passenger manifests, speed control, and driver tracking among others.
“All persons or individuals operating commercial passenger and goods services, known as “floating” or ‘waa-waa’ should take steps to regularise their operations by registering with a recognised commercial transport union or company by March 31, 2025. Further, the Authority wishes to remind parents and guardians that the legal age for driving in Ghana is eighteen (18). Consequently, parents and guardians should show interest in the safety of wards as road users,” the statement added.