The Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced its intention to commence monitoring all traffic lights in Ghana through a remote-control system.

Minister of Roads and Highways Kwasi Amoako-Atta made this known during the Meet-the-Press series organized by the Ministry of Information on Tuesday in Accra.

According to him, by June 2019, traffic lights in the country shall be operated by a remote-control system from the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Accra.

He explained that the project shall cost the Ghanaian government an amount of $3.5 million and shall be undertaken by a private company.

The minister said the project would help check incidences of drivers knocking down pedestrians and escaping arrest.

With the remote-control system, he said traffic light “blackout” would be a thing of the past from June.

Mr. Amoako-Atta indicated that with constant electricity supply now, operating the remote-control system should not be difficult.



He observed that around the world, traffic lights function optimally because of stable electricity and remote-control system. He reiterated that with the end of erratic power supply in the country popularly known as ‘dumsor’, and the introduction of the remote-control system, Ghana should expect a well-functioning traffic light regime.

The minister vowed to make the system work as long as he remains the Minister of Roads and Highways.

On the issue of road safety in Ghana, he announced an improved road safety programme estimated at a cost of $7.22 million.

According to him, the project consists of a road accident database management system, a lollipop programme in 500 schools, training needs assessment and other activities agreed with the National Road Safety Commission.

New Tolling Policy

Mr. Amoako-Atta announced also that government was in the process of introducing a new national tolling policy as part of efforts to address and modernize general toll collection systems in Ghana.

The introduction of the policy is expected to improve revenue collection efforts by the ministry and help address revenue leakages.



Concrete Roads

Meanwhile, the minister has disclosed that President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have challenged the Roads and Highways Ministry to consider constructing concrete roads in Ghana.

According to him, the ministry has therefore started experimenting with the concrete road projects in Tema and if it goes on successfully, it shall be replicated in other parts of the country.

Fair Distribution

The minister explained that several road projects were being undertaken across the country and that more were on the way.

He said the Akufo-Addo government is taking steps to ensure that road projects are fairly distributed, saying “no district is being left out.”

Government, he said, continues to make efforts in paying all road contractors in the country.