Technical assessments by the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) confirms that excess axle loading is a primary driver of rapid road deterioration – causing rutting, pavement failures, frequent potholes, and soaring maintenance costs on roads.
This came to light during a stakeholder engagement on Axle Load Control and Road Preservation, addressed by the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways and MP for Tamale, Alhassan Suhuyini.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH), through the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) and in collaboration with contractor Gabriel Couto-Rango Consortium, is rolling out targeted interventions on the vital Tarkwa-Agona Road.
This strategic corridor fuels mining, agriculture, timber haulage, and commerce across Ghana’s Western region.
In recent years, it has suffered premature pavement wear and heightened safety risks, mainly from overloading by heavy-duty trucks. The Axle Load Control Programme aims to curb this by enforcing limits, extending road lifespans, and cutting traffic crashes.
Tarkwa is not just Ghana’s historic mining hub, it is the Western region’s economic lifeline, powering mining, timber, cocoa evacuation, petroleum distribution, construction, and everyday trade. Yet, axle overloading triggers constant repairs, traffic chaos, rutting, and dangers for all road users.
Deputy Minister Suhuyini emphasized the GHA’s findings: “Highway Authority assessments show that excess axle loading is a major contributor to the rapid deterioration we are witnessing today, rutting, pavement failure, frequent potholes, and rising maintenance costs.”
Western Regional Manager for the National Road Safety Authority, Victor Bilson, highlighted the stakes: “The Western region ranks 5th out of 16 for road crashes, injuries, and fatalities (3rd worst for fatalities), with trucks involved in 4.47% of incidents.“
“We are the third worst performing region when it comes to road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities. It has a ripple effect on our tourism and everything that should come into the region,” he warned, urging stricter enforcement, awareness campaigns, and infrastructure upgrades.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson demanded a review of licensing for axle-load truck drivers, blaming their poor skills for reckless accidents. He proposed hiking fines for overloading from GH¢5,000 to GH¢50,000 as a strong deterrent.
“We must critically review how driver’s licenses are issued for axle-load truck drivers. I often wonder how some obtain licenses despite their reckless behaviour and ignorance of road rules and regulations,” he said.
The engagement aims to ensure bauxite and manganese companies comply with axle load limits (e.g., L.I. 2180) by installing weighbridges at loading sites; educate haulers on limits’ impact on roads and safety; hear drivers’ challenges; build consensus on fair enforcement; and foster cooperation among GHA, agencies, and truckers.
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