The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has issued a fresh public advisory warning of serious safety risks associated with Toyota Voxy vehicles in Ghana, particularly those converted from right to left hand drive.
The directive dated April 13 2026 marks the latest step in an ongoing regulatory response that began earlier this year when concerns emerged over the growing use of the vehicle for commercial passenger transport and its increasing involvement in road safety discussions.
According to the Authority, a Technical Working Group established to assess the safety and operational suitability of the Toyota Voxy has iden tified what it describes as significant risks linked to both the structural conversion and how the vehicles are being used on Ghana’s roads.
The NRSA states in its advisory that “Toyota Voxy vehicles are manufactured exclusively as right hand drive vehicles and the manufacturer does not approve conversion to left hand drive for safety reasons.” Despite this, the vehicles have become widespread following extensive modifications to adapt them to local driving conditions.
The Authority explains that the conversion process involves major alterations to key systems including steering braking dashboard electrical wiring and suspension. It warns that these modifications can affect the integrity of the vehicle especially where there is no standardisation or certification guiding the process.
Highlighting the scale of the risk, the NRSA cautions that “many conversions are undertaken without formal standards certification or regulatory oversight increasing the risk of mechanical failure and unsafe operation.” This directly ties the technical concerns to the safety of passengers and other road users.
Beyond the engineering risks the advisory also raises concerns about misuse of the vehicle. It states that “the Toyota Voxy was designed as a family minivan and not for commercial passenger transport particularly for long distance operations.” However in Ghana the vehicle has increasingly become a preferred option for intercity transport.
The Authority further reveals that “field observations indicate that some vehicles registered as private are being used for commercial passenger transport contrary to regulatory requirements” pointing to broader compliance gaps within the transport system.
These findings reinforce earlier concerns raised by Director General Abraham Amaliba who has consistently warned that the situation poses a direct threat to public safety.
Speaking in the wake of the committee’s report Amaliba stressed that the evidence before the Authority cannot be ignored and that urgent action is required to protect lives. He emphasised that while the vehicle may serve limited intra city movement its current widespread use for long distance travel is unsafe.
“We cannot continue to look on while lives are put at risk. The findings are clear and we will act decisively to protect the travelling public,” he indicated, adding that enforcement will be strengthened across the board.
In line with this position the NRSA is advising passengers to avoid patronising Toyota Voxy vehicles particularly for long distance travel. It is also urging vehicle owners and operators to ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements.
Transport operators have been cautioned against using privately registered vehicles for commercial purposes while importers have been advised to refrain from bringing in right hand drive Voxy vehicles and similar vehicles intended for conversion.
The Authority says it is working closely with key institutions including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority the Ghana Standards Authority the Ghana Revenue Authority the National Insurance Commission and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to implement recommendations from the Technical Working Group Report.
The latest advisory signals a shift from investigation to enforcement as regulators move to close gaps in vehicle importation modification and usage.
For commuters across the country the message is now direct and urgent the convenience of these vehicles must not come at the cost of safety.
By Wisdom Sarfo
