Going Digital: How ready are we for October 1?

On October 1, 2026, our roads go Digital. The Ghana Police Service and the MTTD deserve immense praise for championing TRAFFITECH-GH. Automating traffic enforcement is a monumental leap toward modernising our road transport sector.

If executed fairly, consistently, and without fear or favour, this policy can restore long-lost discipline to our roads, drastically reduce crashes, save precious lives, and streamline revenue collection. It is a bold, visionary step, and the Police administration ought to be highly commended.

However, a policy of this magnitude is only as strong as its groundwork. Automation relies on precision, and before IGP Christian Tetteh Yohunu starts issuing tickets, there are critical questions we must answer to ensure this system does not fail before it begins:

Are our vehicle databases truly accurate?

Have we ensured that every single vehicle on Ghanaian roads is properly registered, and that every owner’s contact information is accurately linked to their registration at the DVLA? If an automated ticket is issued, can we guarantee it reaches the actual offender and not a previous owner who sold the car years ago?

Have we properly sensitised those who live on the road?

Are commercial drivers, driver unions (GPRTU, PROTOA, commercial bus operators), and okada riders actively engaged, educated, and aligned with these rules, or are we setting them up for sudden confrontation? Have we reached the everyday motorist beyond social media infographics?

Is the physical road infrastructure ready to support digital enforcement?

Are our stop lines, lane markings, traffic lights, and road signs clearly visible across our cities, or will drivers be penalised by cameras for missing lines that have long faded away?

Are authorised stopping points clearly defined and functional?

We are asking commercial drivers not to stop at “Si me ha,” but have municipal assemblies provided adequate, clearly marked bus stops and loading bays along all major corridors?

Is the appeal and dispute process seamless for the ordinary citizen?

If a driver receives an erroneous ticket via SMS, is there a transparent, fast, and accessible digital platform to challenge the evidence within the 14-day window without being bogged down by bureaucracy?

Is the public fully protected against fraudsters?

With scammers quick to exploit digital systems, are robust public education campaigns running to ensure citizens know exactly how to verify a genuine GPS-MTTD notice and avoid paying fraudulent mobile money accounts?

TRAFFITECH-GH is the right direction for Ghana. But to transform this policy from a good idea into a lasting success, the days leading up to October must be spent building the foundation. Let us address these vital questions now, so that when October 1 arrives, our roads do not just go digital; they become safer for us all.

Source: Dr Victoria Sam