Accra: The Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has urged the reinstatement of police officers on major highways across the country to combat speeding and reduce road accidents. This appeal comes in the wake of a tragic accident at Ofankor Barrier on Thursday, August 13, 2026, which resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous individuals sustaining serious injuries.
According to Ghana Web, Amaliba, in an interview with JoyNews on the same day, emphasized the necessity of deploying police officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to identified road crash hotspots. He highlighted the critical role of law enforcement in deterring motorists from excessive speeding, stating, "Let's bring back the police, particularly at hotspots, to deal with speeding and road crashes. People are dying."
Amaliba explained that hotspots are locations with a high frequency of road accidents. He stressed that the visible presence of police officers could serve as a deterrent to speeding, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents. "When drivers see a policeman there, they will lower their speed," he said, underscoring the importance of pairing enforcement with public education on road safety.
He pointed out the consequences of removing police officers from roads, which has led some drivers to disregard speed limits, treating highways like a "Formula One track." Amaliba has been persistently advocating for the return of MTTD officers to the roads to address this issue.
While acknowledging concerns about potential harassment and extortion by officers, Amaliba argued against abandoning enforcement altogether. He also mentioned the upcoming implementation of a traffic check system next year but insisted that immediate action is necessary to prevent further loss of life.