Accra: The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has issued a stern warning that Toyota Voxy vehicles are unsuitable for long-distance or commercial passenger transport, labeling their use on inter-city routes a significant road safety risk.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Abraham Amaliba, the Director-General of the NRSA, emphasized that Toyota Voxy vehicles were not originally manufactured in a left-hand drive configuration, and therefore, any such vehicle found in Ghana was not intended for use on the country's roads. He made this statement at the presentation of a 14-member technical committee's report in Accra.
The committee, chaired by Dr. Godwin Kafui Ayetor, an automobile engineer, was tasked with assessing the engineering integrity, safety implications, and suitability of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial passenger transport in Ghana. The formation of the technical committee followed growing public concern over the increasing involvement of these vehicles in road traffic crashes across the country.
In February 2026, the NRSA announced the establishment of the committee after receiving petitions from concerned citizens and stakeholders, highlighting safety risks associated with the vehicles. The Authority had earlier assured the public of a thorough investigation into the matter and pledged to implement appropriate measures based on the findings.
Mr. Amaliba stated that the NRSA, in collaboration with key stakeholders, would begin implementing the recommendations immediately, stressing the urgency of the situation. Dr. Ayetor explained that the Toyota Voxy was originally manufactured as a family minivan for the Japanese market, intended for low mileage and operation on well-paved urban roads, and not for commercial passenger services or long-distance travel.
The committee found that all Voxy vehicles operating in Ghana had been converted from right-hand drive to left-hand drive, mostly done locally, raising safety and engineering integrity concerns due to the lack of standardization. These modifications often compromised the vehicles' stability and balance.
Additionally, the committee discovered that the importation of right-hand drive Toyota Voxy vehicles into Ghana contravened Section 58 of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), as there was no evidence of ministerial approval for the more than 7,257 Voxy vehicles currently registered in Ghana. Lapses were identified across key institutions, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), and the NRSA itself.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alexander Kwaku Obeng of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) stated that the findings provided critical guidance for enforcement, and the Police would work with the NRSA to ensure recommendations are implemented, particularly in restricting Voxy vehicles to intra-city operations.
Mr. Samuel Owusu-Kwarteng of the DVLA Weija District Office assured that the Authority would align its processes with the committee's recommendations, ensuring that Voxy vehicles are registered strictly for private use henceforth.