Former COCOBOD Director of Public Affairs, Fiifi Boafo, has questioned the government’s decision to take 60 per cent of fines generated under the TrafficTech-GH system, suggesting that the arrangement raises concerns about whether the initiative is intended to improve road safety or generate revenue for the state.
According to him, the government’s share of the penalties, despite relying on private sector investment to establish the system, raises questions about the financial motivation behind its implementation.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, November 7, Mr Boafo said that although efforts to reduce road accidents and prevent avoidable deaths were commendable, the government must be transparent about the objectives of the initiative.
He questioned whether TraffiTech-GH was primarily intended to punish traffic offenders, discourage motorists from violating road regulations, or raise additional revenue for the government.
“I think it is important for us to answer these questions because if you look at the conversation that has taken place, it gives you a reason to wonder whether or not it is genuinely a way of raising money for government and not to prevent people from doing the wrong thing or accident,” he said.
Mr Boafo’s concerns centred on the revenue-sharing arrangement under which the private investors behind the project are expected to receive 40 per cent of the penalties collected, while the government takes the remaining 60 per cent.
He questioned the rationale for the government’s share, particularly when the initial investment in the project was not made directly by the state.
“We are told that the people who are making an investment into this project will take 40% off the penalties that will accrue from people who will fall foul of the law. What is the 60% going to government for? Is it to raise money for government?” he asked.
Drawing a comparison with other jurisdictions, he said some governments directly finance similar traffic enforcement systems to avoid transferring the investment burden to motorists.
Mr Boafo stressed that he had no objection to private sector participation in the initiative but wanted the government to explain why it was entitled to 60 per cent of the proceeds.
He further questioned whether the arrangement would place additional financial pressure on Ghanaians, who were already grappling with several economic obligations.
“I have no problem with private participation, but the question is, why is government taking 60% of the money? What is it for? Are we not already over-burdened? Must government now come to us and demand more?” he asked.
He maintained that if the proceeds were intended to finance the operation and maintenance of the system, the arrangement should be clearly explained to the public.
Mr Boafo warned that if revenue generation became the dominant consideration, it could undermine the stated road safety objectives of the initiative.
“If it becomes a source of raising money for the government, then the motive for implementing this project is not really to prevent us from doing the wrong thing but it’s rather to raise money for government. We are already overburdened,” he said.
TraffiTech-GH became operational on November 1, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen traffic law enforcement through automated monitoring and detection of road traffic violations.