Ghana Police Service implements TraffiTech-GH automated enforcement

The Ghana Police Service has officially rolled out the TraffiTech-GH program, an automated traffic enforcement system designed to capture road violations and issue electronic fines using advanced camera technology. Launched in November 2026, the initiative aims to improve road safety and enforce discipline among motorists by identifying infractions such as speeding or running red lights. The system automatically assigns penalties to the registered owner of the vehicle captured by the cameras, representing a significant shift in how traffic laws are enforced across the country.

Proponents of the system, including the New Patriotic Party’s Kwadwo Poku, have advocated for the expansion of TraffiTech-GH to cover more intersections and roundabouts. Poku highlighted the prevalence of drivers failing to yield right-of-way, particularly when entering main roads from minor ones. By increasing the density of cameras, supporters argue that Ghana can achieve a level of driving discipline comparable to international standards, specifically addressing common issues like the disregard for vehicles already within roundabouts.

However, the implementation has sparked significant legal debate regarding the principle of personal accountability. Legal analysts, including Albert Gyamfi, Esq., argue that the system’s reliance on vehicle registration to issue fines may infringe upon constitutional rights. The primary concern is that Ghanaian law generally does not recognize vicarious liability in criminal or quasi-criminal matters. Critics contend that penalizing a vehicle owner for an offense they may not have personally committed shifts the burden of proof to the accused, potentially violating the presumption of innocence guaranteed under the constitution.

The system also raises complex questions regarding the Labour Act and the protection of workers in the informal transport sector. In cases where employees drive vehicles owned by an employer, disputes may arise over who is responsible for the financial penalty. Under current labor laws, employers are prohibited from making unauthorized deductions from workers’ salaries for such fines. Legal experts are calling for clear authorities to establish guidelines that ensure road safety is improved without exposing workers to economic exploitation or violating existing labor protections.