The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has announced that the government is revising regulations to hike the penalty for overloaded trucks from the current GH¢5,000 to GH¢50,000.
In an interview with GTV on Monday, January 26, 2026, Mr. Agbodza described the existing fine as insufficient to deter offenders, noting that it does not adequately cover the extensive damage inflicted on roads by overloaded vehicles.
“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,” he stated.
The minister explained that the current axle load enforcement system imposes graduated penalties depending on the degree of overloading. However, he pointed out that even the maximum fine fails to discourage the practice, as the cost of the penalty remains lower than the benefits of overloading.
“The penalty is not a deterrent. The cost of the penalty is lower than the cost of overloading,” Mr. Agbodza emphasized.
He revealed that the government is in the process of amending the legislative instrument on axle load control to implement the higher penalty.
“We are revising the instrument so that the penalty will be GH¢50,000,” he added.
Additionally, the minister disclosed that stricter measures are under consideration for repeat offenders, which could include the confiscation of vehicles involved in violations.
“If you are a repeat offender, we will confiscate the vehicle. We are going to make it tough,” he warned.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has long highlighted overloading as a primary factor contributing to rapid road deterioration, leading to accelerated pavement failure and escalating maintenance expenses for the nation.