TraffiTech-GH Fines: Radiant Media Questions Revenue Allocation, Demands Dedicated Road Safety Fund

The Radiant Media and Intelligence Hub has raised concerns about how revenue generated from Ghana’s newly introduced TraffiTech-GH traffic enforcement system will be managed, questioning whether the money will be channelled into a dedicated Road Safety Fund or absorbed into the government’s Consolidated Fund.

In an analysis authored by its Executive Director, Emmanuel Duah, the organisation argues that although the technology-driven enforcement system is expected to help curb indiscipline on Ghana’s roads, the absence of a dedicated account for road safety revenue raises questions about how the proceeds will contribute to improving road infrastructure and protecting motorists.

TraffiTech-GH became operational between November 1 and 2, 2026, following earlier postponements from September 29 and October 1.

The system is designed to detect traffic violations electronically and strengthen enforcement by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).

According to the analysis, the enforcement infrastructure includes fixed cameras installed at approximately 34 high-risk junctions across the country, 20 cameras mounted in vehicles, 30 handheld laser and tripod cameras, as well as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

The process begins when the cameras and other devices capture suspected traffic violations. The evidence is subsequently transmitted to the MTTD’s regional back offices, where officers review and validate the violations before an Electronic Notice of Violation (ENV) is issued to the offender.

The notice is sent through an SMS from GPS-MTTD, informing the motorist of the offence and the applicable penalty.

The analysis explains that the penalties are guided by Regulation 242 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519), which establishes fines based on the number of offences committed.

Under the regulation, the first, second and third offences attract a fine of GH¢120 each, equivalent to 10 penalty units, with one penalty unit valued at GH¢12.

The penalties increase progressively, with a fourth offence attracting GH¢180 and a fifth offence attracting GH¢240.

A motorist who commits a sixth offence within 24 months may face court proceedings and suspension of their driving licence.

Speeding offences attract a fine of GH¢240 for every 5km/h above the permitted speed limit, representing 20 penalty units. Other traffic violations could attract penalties of up to GH¢2,400, in addition to possible imprisonment.

Motorists have 14 days to pay their fines through the Ghana.gov platform, mobile money or the *222# option 6 service.

However, those who fail to settle their fines within the stipulated period face an additional surcharge of one per cent per day.

The analysis notes that no maximum limit for the daily surcharge has been published, raising concerns about how much the accumulated penalties could eventually become.

It further states that motorists with unpaid fines could be prevented from accessing certain services at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).

One of the major issues highlighted by Emmanuel Duah is the revenue-sharing arrangement under the public-private partnership (PPP) governing the TraffiTech-GH system.

According to the analysis, revenue generated from traffic fines is divided between the government and the private operator, Nationwide Traffic Management and Enforcement Limited (NTMEL).

Under the arrangement, the private company receives 40 per cent of the revenue, while the government receives the remaining 60 per cent.

The analysis says this arrangement is reflected in the government’s 2022 PPP report and an assessment of the contract by Bright Simons.

It further explains that the government’s 60 per cent share is paid through the Ghana.gov platform into the Consolidated Fund.

Under Ghana’s public financial arrangements, payments made through Ghana.gov are generally transferred into the Consolidated Fund unless an Act of Parliament makes specific provisions for the revenue to be earmarked for another purpose.

However, the analysis argues that L.I. 2519 did not establish a dedicated Road Safety Fund or an escrow account to receive and manage revenue generated from TraffiTech-GH fines.

This means that the government’s share is currently treated as general government revenue rather than money specifically reserved for road safety interventions.

The organisation warns that without a legally established ring-fenced account, there is no guarantee that the revenue will be directly reinvested in road safety projects such as road markings, traffic camera maintenance, street lighting, emergency response services and compensation for accident victims.

It therefore questions whether a system introduced primarily to improve road safety should operate without a clear mechanism to ensure that part of the money collected supports the same objective.

The organisation has also drawn attention to the potential financial returns from the enforcement system, citing figures recorded during its one-week test run.

According to the analysis, the MTTD captured more than 10,000 traffic violations during the period.

Using an assumed minimum fine of GH¢300 per violation, Emmanuel Duah estimates that the offences could generate approximately GH¢3 million in fines within one week.

Based on the same figures, the analysis projects potential revenue of GH¢12 million monthly and more than GH¢144 million annually if the rate of violations and collections remains consistent.

The organisation cautions that such significant revenue could become a major source of government income without necessarily translating into visible improvements in road safety.

It argues that if the proceeds are absorbed into the Consolidated Fund, funding for road safety interventions will have to compete with other government spending priorities.

According to the analysis, this could defeat part of the purpose of introducing the technology if motorists continue to experience poorly marked roads, inadequate street lighting, limited emergency response services and other road safety challenges despite the fines being collected.

In making its case for a dedicated fund, the Radiant Media and Intelligence Hub points to the United Kingdom, particularly London boroughs, as an example of how revenue generated through traffic enforcement can support transport improvements.

The analysis cites approximately £1 billion generated by London boroughs and argues that legal requirements for reinvesting such revenue in transport provide a useful model for Ghana.

It recommends that Ghana adopt a similar approach by ensuring that a defined portion of the government’s share of TraffiTech-GH fines is committed to improving road safety rather than being treated entirely as general revenue.

Fraud concerns and public confidence

The analysis also raises concerns about the possibility of fraudulent payment demands targeting motorists using the TraffiTech-GH system.

It refers to an incident in February 2026 when seven people were reportedly arrested over fake TraffiTech-GH SMS messages demanding payments through private mobile money numbers.

The incident prompted the police to issue a warning to the public against making payments into suspicious private accounts.

Although the organisation acknowledges that the use of Ghana.gov as the central payment platform helps reduce the risk of fraud, it insists that transparency and accountability remain essential to maintaining public confidence.

It argues that motorists must be able to identify legitimate payment notices, verify the offences recorded against them and obtain official receipts for every payment made.

The organisation further insists that payments should only be made through officially approved channels, including Ghana.gov and the authorised GPS-MTTD system, rather than private mobile money accounts.

Four recommendations to government

To address the concerns surrounding the management of TraffiTech-GH revenue, the Radiant Media and Intelligence Hub has proposed four measures for consideration by the government and Parliament.

 Establish a Road Safety and Emergency Response Fund

The organisation is calling on Parliament to amend L.I. 2519 to establish a dedicated Road Safety and Emergency Response Fund.

It recommends that at least 50 per cent of the government’s 60 per cent share of revenue generated from traffic fines should be earmarked for the proposed fund.

The money would be used to finance road signs and markings, street lighting, ambulance posts, MTTD regional back-office capacity and compensation for victims of road accidents.

 Publish monthly revenue reports

The organisation wants the government to establish a publicly accessible dashboard showing the monthly revenue generated through TraffiTech-GH.

The dashboard should also disclose how the money is divided between the government and Nationwide Traffic Management and Enforcement Limited.

According to the analysis, regular publication of the figures would allow motorists and the general public to monitor collections and understand how the revenue is being managed.

 Introduce a cap on daily surcharges and clarify appeals

The organisation is also calling for a limit on the one per cent daily surcharge imposed on motorists who fail to pay within 14 days.

It wants the authorities to clearly explain the appeal process to ensure that motorists who dispute violations have an accessible mechanism to challenge the notices and avoid excessive accumulation of penalties.

 Maintain transparent and publicly supervised enforcement

The fourth recommendation is for the government to ensure that the enforcement and payment processes remain transparent and subject to public oversight.

The organisation insists that official payment receipts should clearly identify authorised channels, particularly Ghana.gov and GPS-MTTD.

It also warns against directing motorists to make payments into private mobile money accounts, stressing the need for a reliable and verifiable payment system.

Concluding its argument, the Radiant Media and Intelligence Hub maintains that the introduction of camera-based traffic enforcement is a positive development because technology can help reduce opportunities for bribery and improve compliance with road traffic regulations.

However, it argues that the success of TraffiTech-GH should not be measured only by the number of violations detected or the amount of money collected from motorists.

The organisation maintains that the revenue generated must contribute to safer roads, improved emergency response systems and better protection for road users.

It warns that although the cameras may help eliminate direct human interference in traffic enforcement, motorists could eventually view the system as another means of taxation if the money collected does not translate into visible road safety improvements.

The organisation’s position is that traffic indiscipline must be punished, but the financial proceeds from that punishment should also help build safer roads and strengthen the country’s road safety infrastructure.