The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has commissioned a five-member committee to review Ghana’s Axle Load Control Programme, aiming to enhance its effectiveness and address persistent operational challenges.
The committee, inaugurated on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, reflects the Ministry’s commitment to tackling the overloading of heavy cargo vehicles, a practice identified as a major contributor to road damage and safety hazards.
The committee comprises representatives from National Security, private haulage operators, the Ghana Highway Authority, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ghana Standards Authority. It has been given a comprehensive mandate to assess and improve the programme.
“The committee is expected to identify systemic and operational issues that require reforms, investigate violations of regulatory provisions, evaluate the management of collected fines, and provide suitable recommendations to enhance the programme,” a statement from the Ministry noted.
“Overloading heavy cargo vehicles has been identified as a major factor in the premature deterioration of road pavements and increased traffic accidents,” the statement added.
The Axle Load Control Programme, designed to regulate vehicle weights and protect road infrastructure, has faced several challenges, prompting this review.
Acknowledging these difficulties, the Ministry stated that the programme “is facing numerous operational challenges” and requires systemic improvements to achieve its objectives.
Reaffirming its commitment to the public, the Ministry declared, “The Ministry assures the public of its dedication to enhancing road safety and mitigating overloading to ensure road pavements fulfill their intended lifespan.”
GA/MA
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