Former Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Fiifi Boafo, has questioned the financial motive behind the introduction of the new automated traffic enforcement system, Traffitech, warning that it must not become a revenue-generating venture for the government rather than a road safety intervention.
His comments come amid public discussions over the introduction of Traffitech, its enforcement mechanisms and the financial arrangements underpinning the initiative.
He said although efforts to sanitise Ghana’s roads, prevent avoidable deaths and injuries, and protect property were commendable, the implementation of the system must be transparent and guided by clearly defined objectives.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 7, Mr Boafo said authorities needed to clarify whether Traffitech was intended to punish traffic offenders, deter motorists from violating road regulations and prevent accidents, or generate revenue for the government.
He said the uncertainty surrounding its objectives, particularly the financial arrangements, raised questions about the true motivation for introducing the system.
Mr Boafo pointed to the proposed arrangement under which investors involved in the project would receive 40 per cent of the penalties collected from motorists who violate traffic regulations, while the remaining 60 per cent would go to the government.
He questioned the purpose of the government’s share of the proceeds and whether the arrangement was designed primarily to generate revenue.
“If it was for the system to run, then charge us, use the money, and make sure that the system runs and then it serves as a punitive measure and then all of us stay in check,” he said.
He argued that revenue generated from penalties should be used to sustain the system and ensure its effective operation, rather than turn the initiative into another source of income for the state.
According to him, making revenue generation the primary objective would undermine the intended road safety benefits of the intervention.
Mr Boafo also cautioned that Ghanaians were already overburdened and should not be subjected to an enforcement system that prioritised raising money over preventing road traffic offences and accidents.
“Any attempt to sanitise our roads, prevent avoidable injuries and deaths as well as destruction of properties is commendable and we all must accept it. In attempts to do this, we must ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.
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