The Ministry of Transport has launched a nationwide education and dissemination exercise on the new Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), as part of efforts to improve road safety and ensure that road users understand and comply with the new rules.
The exercise also covers the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153), which introduces changes to Ghana’s road traffic regime, including provisions relating to the use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for commercial activities.
Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe launched the exercise at the National Dissemination Exercise on the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
He said nationwide education was necessary to help drivers, transport operators, motor unions and other road users understand their responsibilities under the new legal framework.
The Minister said the implementation of the new regulations comes at a time when Ghana continues to record a worrying number of road crashes and fatalities.
He disclosed that 2,949 people died in road crashes in 2025 alone, representing an average of about eight deaths every day.
The deaths, he said, were recorded from 14,743 reported crashes, which also left more than 16,000 people injured and involved close to 25,000 vehicles.
Nikpe added that more than 36,000 Ghanaians have lost their lives through road crashes since 1991.
He said the statistics demonstrate the need for stronger compliance with road traffic laws and responsible behaviour by all road users.
The Minister also addressed concerns over the decision to allow motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles to be used for commercial purposes under the new legislation.
He said some sections of the public had questioned the move, particularly against the background of the country's road safety challenges.
Nikpe, however, challenged commercial drivers and motor unions to demonstrate that the new policy could work safely through strict adherence to road traffic regulations.
“We have had a lot of questions; we have had a lot of issues with some sections of the Ghanaian people, asking why we should pass legislation to allow the use of motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles for commercial activities. We are happy that the motor unions are also here, including our drivers. Is it not time for us to prove them wrong?” he asked.
He said proving the critics wrong would require drivers to obey the law while carrying out their businesses and earning a living.
The Minister warned that violating road traffic regulations could expose drivers and other road users to serious risks.
“You cannot break road traffic regulations and think that you are safe on the roads; it is a risk you are taking, and that risk can lead to loss of lives and injuries,” he said.
He urged drivers to recognise their importance to the country's economy while also protecting their own lives and those of other road users.
“We need you as a people; we need you just like your families need you, and we know you are part of the manpower need that this country rightly needs to perform,” he said.
Nikpe said the nationwide education exercise would help ensure that stakeholders are adequately informed about the new regulations and their responsibilities under the law.
He subsequently declared the National Dissemination Exercise for the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act 1153) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519) officially launched.
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