News
MTTD launches Traffitech-GH app …To check acts of lawlessness on roads
ACP Waabu
The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Police Service on Wednesday launched the Traffitech-GH, an automated system developed by the service to enforce road traffic laws and regulations to improve road safety in the country.
The system uses cameras and sensors to automatically capture pictures and/or videos of vehicles that flouted road traffic laws and regulations such as speeding and jumping of red light.
It also enforces other traffic offences like expired road worthiness certificate, wrong overtaking, driving with uninsured vehicles, among others.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gabriel Prince Waabu, who made this known at the launch at Wa, explained that owners of vehicles that committed road traffic offences would receive text messages detailing the date, location and time of the offence and also diagnose the offence and fine to be paid via mobile money.
The initiative, he noted, will enhance compliance with road traffic laws and regulations to reduce road traffic accidents, injuries and deaths in the country
ACP Waabu noted that failure to comply with road traffic laws and regulations would lead to disorder and rampant road crashes associated with deaths and injuries.
The Director of Research and Education at the MTTD, Chief Superintendent (C/Supt.) Alexander Kwaku Obeng expressed confidence that the system would be rolled out by the end of the year and cautioned road users to endeavour to abide by road traffic rules and regulations.
He maintained that the intervention would include installing cameras at vantage points as well as use vehicle tracking devices to monitor motorists on the road.
He said other offences that would be enforced under the Traffitech-GH include non-use of seatbelts, use of mobile phone while driving, riding without crash helmet, and over speeding.
He said the system would automatically transfer recorded video and pictures to the office for confirmation and issuance of a notification by mobile phone text message to the vehicle owner for payment
“The payment mode shall be specified in the notification message, the offender would pay a penalty of one per cent on the original Traffitech-GH fine for each day of default after a 14 day allowance payment period”, he said
He advised the public to be self-disciplined on the road to ensure the safety of all.
The event was attended by representatives of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Ghana Highway Authority (GHA), transport unions, National Insurance Commission (NIC) and personnel from the various security agencies.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
News
Bagbin lifts suspension of four MPs
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs) who were suspended after a clash during the vetting session on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The altercation occurred between Minority and Majority MPs, escalating tensions in Parliament. The disagreement reached a peak after the suspension of the four MPs, triggering a debate over whether the vetting should proceed on January 31, 2025.
Following the suspension, the Minority MPs walked out, leaving only the Majority to continue with the vetting of nominees, including that of MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who had already undergone several hours of questioning by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The lifting of the suspension comes after a review of the incident. The four MPs – Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Jerry Ahmed Shaib and Alhassan Tampuli – are now expected to resume their parliamentary duties as normal. The move seeks to restore order in Parliament following the disruptions.
This was after both the majority leader and minority leader appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to lift the ban on the four MPs.
Alban Bagbin said, “So I have lifted the suspension order. I do so instantly and takes effect immediately. The affected Hon. Members are permitted now to enter the precincts of the house. I must say they actually complied with the orders.”
He assured that the investigations will continue, and the House will have the opportunity to make a decision.
He commended the security agencies for their support.
Source : Citinewsroom.com
