The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced that the government is reviewing regulations to significantly increase the penalty for overloaded trucks from GH¢5,000 to GH¢50,000, describing the current fine as ineffective and inadequate.
Speaking in an interview on GTV on Monday, January 26, 2026, the minister explained that the existing penalty does not reflect the extent of damage overloaded vehicles cause to the country’s road network. According to him, the low fine has failed to deter offenders, allowing the practice to persist despite its costly consequences.
“You cannot impose a penalty of GH¢5,000 when the damage caused to the road is worth GH¢50,000. The penalty must match the harm being done,” Mr Agbodza stated.
He explained that Ghana’s current axle load enforcement regime applies graduated penalties based on how much a vehicle exceeds the legal weight limit. However, he noted that even the maximum fine under the existing system remains insufficient to discourage overloading.
“The penalty is not a deterrent. In many cases, the cost of the fine is lower than the financial gains from overloading,” the minister said.
Mr Agbodza disclosed that the government is in the process of revising the legislative instrument governing axle load control to allow for the proposed increase in penalties. “We are revising the instrument so that the penalty will be GH¢50,000,” he confirmed.
He further revealed that stricter measures are being considered for repeat offenders, including the possible seizure of vehicles used to breach the law. “If you are a repeat offender, we will confiscate the vehicle. We are going to make enforcement tougher,” he warned.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has consistently identified vehicle overloading as a major contributor to rapid road deterioration, noting that the practice accelerates pavement failure and significantly increases maintenance and reconstruction costs.
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