Ghana’s public transport system, particularly the ubiquitous trotro, serves nearly 70% of the commuting population. Yet, this crucial sector is fraught with safety challenges, especially dangerous levels of passenger congestion and vehicle overloading, which compromise public health and undermine national development goals.
Despite clear regulations from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Standards Authority, many commercial vehicles blatantly disregard safety standards. Current engineering guidelines mandate a minimum legroom of 300mm and a seat interval of 700mm. However, in practice, passengers are crammed into poorly maintained vehicles with barely any room to stretch their legs, a condition that poses serious health risks, particularly on long journeys.
This worrying trend raises critical questions: How are these vehicles passing roadworthiness tests? Is the DVLA renewing licenses for vehicles that clearly do not meet established safety criteria? And why is the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service turning a blind eye to these violations, even when such vehicles operate in plain sight?
The Chronicle is deeply concerned about the apparent inaction from these state agencies. It is unacceptable that institutions funded by taxpayers are failing to uphold the very regulations they are mandated to enforce. The silence and inaction from the DVLA and MTTD not only embolden these transport operators but also suggest a troubling compromise of public safety.
It is widely known that some drivers temporarily remove additional seats before roadworthiness inspections, only to reinstall them afterward. This loophole is well-documented — and precisely why police enforcement on the roads is critical. The role of the MTTD cannot be limited to visibility; it must be rooted in action and deterrence!
Moreover, another growing threat on our roads is the increasing noise pollution from modified exhaust pipes of motorbikes and certain vehicles, particularly in urban centres such as Accra and Kumasi. This disturbing trend, often driven by youth culture and a desire for attention, has reached intolerable levels.
Noise pollution is not a trivial issue. It has been linked to various health conditions, including hearing impairment, sleep disruption, stress, and even cardiovascular problems. National laws and local by-laws prohibit excessive vehicular noise. Yet, enforcement remains lax. Authorities like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Police and Metropolitan Assemblies have clear mandates to address this — but citizens are yet to see coordinated and decisive action.
The Chronicle calls on the EPA, DVLA, and the MTTD to treat this menace with the urgency it demands. Ghana cannot afford to let public health and road safety be sacrificed on the altar of regulatory negligence or institutional complacency.
As Albert Einstein once said, “The world is a dangerous place not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” It is time for all stakeholders from policymakers to enforcement agencies to stop looking on.
Addressing these issues is not just about transport policy; it is about national well-being, environmental sustainability, and the dignity of the Ghanaian citizen. A safe and efficient public transport system is not a privilege, it is a right. It must become a central focus of the national agenda.
Ghana deserves better. And the time to act is now.
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