President John Dramani Mahama has defended the introduction of the TraffiTech-GH traffic enforcement system, insisting that the government cannot delay measures to improve road safety until Ghana’s roads are in perfect condition.
He said speed cameras were necessary to curb speeding and protect vulnerable road users, particularly schoolchildren who continue to lose their lives through road accidents involving speeding vehicles.
President Mahama made the remarks in Antigua ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), following criticism from some motorists and transport operators over the implementation of the system.
The Ghana Police Service, through its Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), introduced TraffiTech-GH on November 1, with the initial phase focusing on detecting speeding offences.
However, the rollout has faced resistance from motorists who believe the government should first address poor road conditions, faulty traffic lights, faded road markings and inadequate speed-limit signage.
Some commercial transport operators have also threatened industrial action over concerns surrounding the system and the conditions under which drivers operate.
Responding to the criticism, President Mahama argued that poor road conditions should not prevent the government from introducing technology to enforce traffic regulations.
“I hear they say we should fix the roads before we introduce TraffiTech. It does not work like that. I mean, the roads are not perfect in the UK, yet they have speed cameras,” he said.
He explained that the current phase of TraffiTech-GH is primarily designed to detect speeding, with other traffic violations expected to be incorporated as the system expands.
“TraffiTech has begun with checking speeding. They have not yet added the other components such as jumping red lights, wrong-way parking and others,” he added.
The system uses automated cameras to capture traffic violations and facilitate the issuance of electronic notices to vehicle owners, as part of efforts to strengthen traffic law enforcement and improve road safety.
