NRSA directs road agencies to fix faulty traffic lights, missing signs as TraffiTech enforcement begins

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has directed the Ghana Highway Authority and the Department of Urban Roads to urgently repair faulty traffic lights, replace missing road signs and restore faded road markings as the country’s digital traffic enforcement system, TraffiTech, begins operation. In a letter dated November 3, 2026, and addressed to the two road sector agencies, the Authority expressed concern about the poor condition and absence of essential road infrastructure, warning that the situation poses serious risks to motorists, pedestrians and other road users.

The directive comes as TraffiTech-GH, a technology-driven traffic monitoring and enforcement system, which commenced operation on November 1, seeks to improve compliance with road traffic regulations and promote safer driving. The NRSA said the state of road infrastructure could undermine the effectiveness of the new system if the necessary safety measures were not put in place.

“I write on behalf of the NRSA to express the Authority’s deep dismay at the prevailing absence and poor condition of road furniture on roads under your institution’s jurisdiction, and to call for immediate and decisive action to address these deficiencies, particularly in view of the commencement of TraffiTech-GH,” the letter stated. The Authority identified malfunctioning traffic lights, missing or damaged road signs, illegible signage and faded or absent road markings as some of the major problems requiring immediate attention.

It noted that traffic lights that are not working properly, including those that remain off or flicker, create confusion for drivers and increase the risk of collisions at intersections. The NRSA said the concerns had been raised repeatedly and had also featured at a recent Breakfast Meeting on Road Safety held under the auspices of the Minister for Transport.

The Authority stressed that the timing of the directive was particularly important because TraffiTech-GH was already in operation and depended on functional road infrastructure to achieve its objectives. According to the NRSA, the absence of proper road signs, working traffic lights and visible road markings could frustrate the enforcement system and make it difficult to ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

“This technology-driven enforcement and monitoring system depends on functional road infrastructure and compliant road furniture,” the letter stated. “Malfunctioning traffic lights, missing signage and faded markings will frustrate the system and render enforcement ineffective.” The Authority further reminded the two agencies that government institutions had a responsibility to support government programmes and ensure their successful implementation.

It described TraffiTech-GH as one such programme, adding that its success depended partly on the readiness of the road infrastructure under the responsibility of the agencies. The NRSA has directed the Ghana Highway Authority and the Department of Urban Roads to prioritise remedial works at high-risk locations. The required interventions include repairing or replacing faulty traffic lights, restoring damaged or missing road signs and repainting faded road markings.

The agencies have also been asked to provide timelines for completing the works and ensure that all road furniture is functional and meets the required standards without further delay. The Authority warned that it would not treat the matter as a routine request, given that the digital enforcement system had already commenced operation. It said its Regulations, Inspections and Compliance Directorate would monitor the agencies’ response and could issue formal compliance notices if they failed to act in line with the NRSA’s mandate.

“The Authority expects prompt and decisive action. Road safety cannot be compromised, and the success of TraffiTech-GH depends on the readiness of our road infrastructure,” the letter added. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, November 4, NRSA Director-General Abraham Amaliba confirmed that the Authority had written to the road sector agencies over the infrastructure challenges.

Mr Amaliba disclosed that he had written another letter to the agencies on Tuesday, November 3, highlighting concerns about road markings and street lighting and urging them to take action. “I’ve written a letter to them again just yesterday, saying that there are concerns about the road markings, there are concerns about the street lighting, and they must take steps to fix them.

Otherwise, the law even allows me to go to court against them,” he said. Urgent action requiredDownload