President John Dramani Mahama has defended TraffiTech fines, telling motorists who consider the penalties too expensive that the simplest way to avoid paying them is to stay within prescribed speed limits.
The President said complaints about the cost of penalties should not distract from the purpose of the automated enforcement system, which is aimed at curbing speeding and reducing road crashes.
“If it is too expensive, then don’t overspeed. That’s all, there is a solution to it,” Mr Mahama said in an interview with 1957 News on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
TraffiTech GH was rolled out nationwide by the Ghana Police Service on November 1 after an earlier start date was postponed to allow more time for public education. The system uses cameras and sensors to detect traffic offences and issue Electronic Notices of Violation to vehicle owners.
Road conditions no excuse for speeding
The system has drawn criticism from some motorists and commercial drivers, particularly over the level of fines and the state of roads, markings and traffic infrastructure.
Mahama rejected arguments that government should first repair all roads before enforcing speed limits.
“I hear they say we should fix the roads before we introduce TraffiTech. I mean, it doesn’t happen like that. The roads are not perfect in the UK, and yet they have speed cameras,” he said.
He said the current phase is mainly targeting speeding, while other offences such as jumping red lights and illegal parking are expected to be incorporated as the system expands.
According to the Ghana Police Service, automated monitoring is intended to complement officers on the road rather than replace conventional traffic enforcement. Drivers who receive an electronic notice can pay through approved government channels or challenge the alleged offence in court.
Mahama orders warning signs at camera locations
Despite his defence of the system, the President said motorists must be clearly informed when they are approaching areas monitored by speed cameras.
He has asked the police and agencies implementing TraffiTech GH to install warning signs ahead of camera locations.
“You need to put signposts, warning motorists, that there is a speed camera ahead. I think that transparency is important,” Mahama said.
The directive responds to concerns that drivers could be penalised without adequate information about monitored sections or the speed limits that apply.
Some commercial drivers have also called for clearer road signs and better public education before enforcement is intensified.
Speeding puts children at risk
Mahama placed road safety at the centre of his defence of the technology, pointing particularly to children injured or killed while walking home from school.
“If you look at the number of children knocked down every year in Ghana when they are coming from school, you will understand why it is important for us to check overspeeding.
“Children coming from school are knocked down and killed or permanently injured, and so it is important for us to check speeding.” - President Mahama
Police officials say speeding remains a major contributor to serious crashes and road deaths. Assistant Commissioner of Police Alex Kwaku Obeng said excessive speed accounts for between 50% and 62% of road fatalities or serious crashes recorded in Ghana.
For Mahama, that risk is enough reason for enforcement to continue even as government works on road infrastructure.
His position leaves motorists with a fairly simple choice: comply with the speed limit and avoid the fine, while authorities improve signage and transparency around where automated enforcement is taking place.
READ ALSO: IPPG Seeks Scrutiny of Ghana Russia Nuclear Project
