Parliament Passes Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2025 Under Certificate of Urgency

Parliament has approved the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, 2025 under a certificate of urgency, paving the way for significant reforms in Ghana’s road transport and safety regulations.

Presenting the report of the Roads and Transport Committee, Chairman Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah explained that the Bill seeks to amend the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) to introduce several key provisions aimed at improving safety and modernising the transport sector.

Key Reforms Introduced in the Bill

Hon. Adjei Mensah highlighted the major changes contained in the amendment:

• New limits for alcohol concentration for drivers to strengthen enforcement against drunk driving.
• Regulation of commercial use of motorcycles, tricycles, and quadricycles, providing a legal framework for their operations.
• Development of standards for seat belts and other safety equipment to improve protection for vehicle occupants.
• Reduction of the minimum age required for commercial drivers to help expand employment opportunities for the youth.
• Introduction of mandatory motor vehicle emission testing to address environmental and public health concerns.

Driving Road Safety and Youth Employment

The Committee Chair noted that the Bill is designed to create the momentum needed to enhance road safety nationwide, tackle accident-related challenges, and regulate the growing informal transport sector.

He added that beyond safety improvements, the Bill will help create new employment opportunities for young people and lay the foundation for a more comprehensive regulatory framework for the road transport industry.