President John Dramani Mahama has defended the introduction of the TraffiTech-GH system, insisting that motorists who comply with prescribed speed limits have nothing to fear from the automated traffic enforcement initiative.
He said the system was necessary to reduce road accidents, particularly those involving children who are knocked down while returning from school.
Speaking during an engagement with The1957News on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the President said road safety interventions could not be delayed until Ghana’s roads were in perfect condition.
He cited the use of speed cameras in the United Kingdom as an example, arguing that infrastructure challenges should not prevent authorities from enforcing traffic regulations.
“The roads are not perfect in the UK, and yet they have speed cameras,” he said.
Mahama explained that the initial phase of TraffiTech-GH was focused on detecting speeding offences, with other traffic violations expected to be incorporated later.
“My understanding is that Traffitech has begun with over-speeding. They’ve not yet added the other components of jumping red lights and parking wrongly,” he said.
He also dismissed concerns that motorists could be penalised without adequate warning, saying authorities could not be expected to achieve perfect conditions before enforcing speed limits.
However, he acknowledged the need for clear communication and said warning signs should be installed along roads to alert motorists before they reach areas where speed cameras operate.
“All our edge is that the police and those implementing Traffic Tech should put signs showing where the cameras are,” he said.
He stressed that transparency was important to ensure motorists understood where the enforcement technology was being deployed.
“I think that transparency is important,” the President added.
On concerns about the cost of penalties, Mr Mahama said motorists could avoid fines by complying with prescribed speed limits.
“Well, if it’s too expensive, then don’t overspeed. That’s all. There’s a solution to it,” he said.
He further reminded drivers that the maximum speed limit in towns was 50 kilometres per hour, regardless of whether a particular road was in good condition.
“The maximum speed in town is 50. However good the road is, you do 50,” he said.
The President added that motorists who observed the prescribed limits would not have to pay penalties.
“If you do 50, you are fine. You don’t have to pay anything,” he said.
TraffiTech-GH is an automated traffic law enforcement system developed by the Ghana Police Service to improve road safety through the use of cameras and sensors that detect traffic violations.
The project is designed to capture offences such as speeding and running red lights, with the evidence transmitted to a central system for review and the issuance of electronic notices to vehicle owners.
According to the Ghana Police Service, the system uses fixed, mobile and in-vehicle cameras, as well as laser speed-measurement devices.
Other offences expected to fall under its enforcement framework include wrongful overtaking, failure to wear seatbelts, driving without valid insurance and using an expired driver’s licence.
The Ghana Police Service began the rollout of TraffiTech-GH on November 1, 2026, initially focusing on speeding violations.
