The government is set to introduce a significantly harsher penalty for truck drivers who overload their vehicles, as part of a broader effort to protect Ghana’s road infrastructure.
Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, announced during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 30, that the penalty for axle overloading will increase from GH₵5,000 to GH₵50,000 in the coming days.
Axle loading refers to the weight a single axle of a vehicle places on the road surface. When trucks carry loads beyond the recommended axle weight limit, they exert excessive pressure on the road, leading to rapid deterioration, potholes, and eventual structural failure.
Mr. Agbodza emphasized that overloaded trucks are a major contributor to road damage nationwide, and the current fines are simply not enough to discourage the practice.
He noted that the cost of repairing road damage far outweighs the penalties currently imposed on violators.
“No amount of monies we collected in terms of penalty on axle loading can ever be enough to repair caused by truckers on our roads. We intend to do something about this and we’ve recommended a stiffer penalty regime for those who will not abide by the rule and overload. We are intending to hike the penalty for overloading on our roads from 5,000 cedis to 50,000 Ghana cedis.” he stated.
The Minister further disclosed that this proposal follows stakeholder consultations and a careful review of the worsening condition of key transport corridors.
He urged transport operators and logistics companies to adhere strictly to weight regulations or face the consequences.
According to him, the move is expected to strengthen road safety, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of national highways.
