The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced that the government has amended the Road Traffic Act and its regulations as part of efforts to curb the alarming rate of road accidents, which claimed 1,504 lives in the first half of 2025 alone.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, September 17, the Minister said urgent reforms are being made to the country’s road traffic laws to curb avoidable deaths.

“Road fatalities remain a leading cause of deaths in the country, with about 1,504 lives lost in the first half of this year. These preventable deaths can be reduced through behaviour change.

"To address this, the Ministry is taking the necessary steps to amend the road traffic regulations, and when passed, it will help enhance education and enforcement efforts,” he stated.

The Minister explained that the ministry has completed stakeholder consultations and Cabinet has already approved amendments to the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) and the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 2180). These amendments will be laid before Parliament when it resumes sitting.

A key focus of the reform, he said, is the regulation of motorcycles and tricycles, commonly known as okada. “Current efforts aimed to enhance safety and efficiency are, one, regularisation of motorcycles and tricycles for fare-paying passengers. Motorcycles and tricycles are vital for transportation systems. However, current regulation bans their use, creating enforcement and safety challenges.

"To establish a robust regulatory framework, the Ministry has begun processes to amend the Road Traffic Act and Regulations,” the Minister said.

Turning to inland water transport, the Transport Minister also expressed concern about frequent accidents on lakes and rivers. He cited recent tragedies, including the drowning of seven students in Dipe in the Lawra District and two deaths in a boat accident at Bonpama in the West.

“Most people living along the water lake and other water bodies depend on canoes and boats for daily transportation. However, inland waterways often lack security measures, leading to frequent accidents and deaths. Even my constituency, Saboba, has had its fair experience of boat accidents,” he said.

To address this, he announced that the Ghana Maritime Authority will deploy safety officers and establish satellite offices to monitor activities on inland waters.

“Government, through the Ghana Maritime Authority, is deploying safety officers and establishing satellite offices. The President will commission the safety teams later this year after their training,” the Minister added.

The Government Accountability Series provides a platform for sector ministers to present mid-year updates and preliminary assessments of the government’s performance, as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability.