‘Just do 50, you won’t pay anything’ – Mahama tells motorists over TraffiTech-GH fines

President John Dramani Mahama has defended Ghana’s automated traffic enforcement system, urging drivers to observe the 50km/h speed limit in towns while directing authorities to install warning signs at speed camera locations.

President John Dramani Mahama has told motorists concerned about the cost of fines under Ghana’s new TraffiTech-GH system that they can avoid penalties by obeying prescribed speed limits.

“If it is too expensive, then do not speed, and so there is a solution to that. The maximum speed in town is 50km/h. However good the road is, you do the 50km/h. If you do that, you are fine, and you will not have to pay anything,” he said.

The President made the remarks in an interview with 1957 News on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday, November 5.

Mahama rejects calls to fix roads first

His comments come amid growing public debate over the rollout of TraffiTech-GH, with some motorists and transport operators questioning the introduction of automated enforcement while roads, traffic lights and road signage remain inadequate in some areas.

Mahama rejected arguments that road infrastructure must be fully repaired before the system can be enforced. He maintained that road improvements and traffic law enforcement should proceed simultaneously.

Drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom, he argued that speed cameras are used there despite imperfections in the road network.

The President said the system’s initial phase focuses on speeding violations, while other offences, including running red lights and illegal parking, are expected to be incorporated later.

Police directed to install warning signs

Despite defending the system, Mahama called on the police and agencies responsible for its implementation to install clear signs warning motorists when they are approaching areas monitored by speed cameras.

He said transparency was important when introducing technology-driven enforcement and stressed that drivers should be adequately informed about camera locations.

The directive comes as concerns about the implementation of TraffiTech-GH continue to feature in public discussions.

Road safety at the centre of the debate

Mahama also cited the number of schoolchildren knocked down by speeding vehicles as a reason for strengthening traffic enforcement.

He said some children returning from school were killed or left with permanent injuries after being struck by vehicles, underscoring the need to address excessive speeding.

TraffiTech-GH was introduced by the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department, with automated cameras initially targeting motorists who exceed speed limits.

While the government presents the system as a road safety measure, debate continues over penalties, road conditions and the need for clear public information about its operation.