Commercial drivers in Kumasi have welcomed the passage of the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, 2025, but are calling for extensive public education and strict enforcement of the new law.
Parliament passed the amendment in December 2025 to amend the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683). The new provisions cover alcohol concentration limits for drivers, commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, mandatory safety equipment and regulations for commercial drivers.
The drivers say the amendments are necessary to improve road safety and restore discipline in the transport sector. However, they fear that without adequate education, many drivers and passengers may be unaware of the new requirements.
Eric Duodu, Trustee of the Anloga Junction Branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), said union executives were not consulted before the Bill was passed.
“We had no knowledge of the passage of the new road traffic law. As a result, drivers under our authority have not been given access to the document and remain uninformed about its provisions,” he said.
Mr Duodu called on the Ministry of Transport, the National Road Safety Authority, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to begin stakeholder engagements and nationwide public education.
He said drivers and passengers should fully understand the new provisions before enforcement begins.
“We support the new law because it will help reduce accidents and bring order on our roads. But the government must educate the passengers and us well before they start arresting people,” another driver said.
The drivers believe effective education, stakeholder engagement and consistent enforcement will be crucial to ensuring compliance and reducing road crashes.
