The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced a significant increase in the penalty fine for overloaded trucks, raising it from GH¢5,000 to GH¢50,000 as part of efforts to protect the country’s road infrastructure.
According to Kwame Agbodza, the decision is aimed at deterring persistent overloading, which continues to cause extensive damage to major roads and increases maintenance costs for the state.
He explained that the existing fine has failed to discourage offending drivers and transport operators, many of whom consider it cheaper to pay penalties than comply with axle load regulations.
In an interview with GTV on Monday, January 26, 2026, the Minister stressed that overloaded trucks significantly shorten the lifespan of roads and pose serious safety risks to other road users.
He noted that the government spends millions of cedis annually repairing roads damaged largely by excessive axle loads.
“You cannot have a penalty of GH¢5,000 when the damage you are doing is GH¢50,000. You have to increase the penalty,” the Minister said.
The Roads Minister added that enforcement at axle load control stations across the country will be intensified, with no exceptions for violators. He warned that repeat offenders could face additional sanctions, including possible suspension of operating licenses.
He said “The penalty is not a deterrent. The cost of the penalty is lower than the cost of overloading,” adding that the government is revising the legislative instrument governing axle load control to allow for a higher penalty.
“We are revising the instrument so that the penalty will be GH¢50,000,” he said.
