The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced a significant increase in the penalty for overloading vehicles on Ghana’s roads from GH₵5,000 to GH₵50,000.

Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, July 30, the Minister said the move is aimed at discouraging the abuse of the axle load system, which continues to damage the country's roads.

“If you have been watching the Ministry, one of the biggest challenges we have is the axle load regime,” he said. “Whatever money we collect in terms of penalties or whatever you pay in respect to axle loading is not a fee, it is a penalty for wrongdoing.”

Mr Agbodza stressed that the government’s goal is not to collect revenue through fines but to eliminate overloading entirely. “Our aim is to make sure that axle loading accruals become zero. If they do, it means people have stopped overloading,” he stated.

He explained that the cost of damage caused by overloaded trucks far exceeds the fines currently collected. “No amount of money we collect in terms of penalties on axle loading can ever be enough to repair the damage caused by truckers on our roads,” he noted.

Referencing the Agona Junction to Tarkwa road, he said: “Those of you who have seen part of the road from Agona Junction to Tarkwa, which was done just less than a year ago, part of the reason that road is almost gone is partly because of axle loading, though not entirely.”

To address the issue, the Minister revealed that a tougher penalty regime is being introduced. “We are increasing the penalty for overloading on our roads from GH₵5,000 to GH₵50,000. We hope that will be an additional deterrent for people to make sure they work within the rules,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted a common tactic used by some transport operators. “Some people go to the Tema Port, load within the allowable tonnage, and then pack somewhere to top up the goods. That is part of the complexity of the problem,” he explained.

In response, the Ministry plans to extend the punishment beyond just the driver. “Currently, the penalty is solely on the driver. We intend that the penalty be extended to the owner of the goods. A portion of the goods will be seized, auctioned, and the money put in the Road Maintenance Trust Fund,” he said.

“I am sure if you lose half of your goods as a result of overloading, the next time we will all work within the limit,” he 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.