NRSA Declares War on Illegal Vehicle Conversion Garages, Warns of Shutdowns

Accra, April 8, – The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has warned that garages converting right-hand drive vehicles into left-hand drive models are operating illegally and will be shut down for breaching road safety laws.

The Director-General of the Authority, Mr Abraham Amaliba, said the practice poses a serious threat to road safety and contributes to rising risks in the transport sector.

He issued the warning during the presentation of a technical committee report on the safety and suitability of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial passenger transport in Ghana.

Mr Amaliba said the NRSA would work with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to clamp down on illegal conversion garages and ensure offenders are prosecuted.

“The Police is the enforcing body. We do not have the power to enforce. With the MTTD, those garages will be closed down,” he said.

He stressed that many passengers were unaware of the risks involved in using such modified vehicles, calling for stronger public education on road safety issues.

The technical committee, chaired by Dr Godwin Kafui Ayetor, found that thousands of Toyota Voxy vehicles in Ghana had been converted from right-hand drive despite the model not being designed for left-hand drive use.

It also identified widespread regulatory lapses in vehicle importation, registration, and inspection processes by relevant institutions, including Customs and the Ghana Standards Authority.

The Ghana Standards Authority said enforcement of new vehicle standards had begun, including pre-shipment inspections and structural integrity checks, with full implementation expected within months.

Stakeholders, including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, have called for stronger enforcement and public education to ensure the report’s recommendations are implemented effectively.

They warned that many drivers operating such vehicles are young and inexperienced, increasing the urgency for action to prevent further road crashes.

GHBUSS

8 April 2026