Hon. Kwame Governs Agbodza has disclosed that only 63% of Ghana’s traffic lights are currently functioning, raising fresh concerns about road safety, urban traffic management and the deteriorating state of transport infrastructure across the country.
According to an assessment by the Department of Urban Roads, only 257 out of 411 traffic signal installations nationwide are operational, leaving a significant number either damaged, inactive or completely non functional.
The Roads and Highways Minister described the findings as alarming, pointing to multiple factors behind the situation, including road crashes, theft of electrical components, vandalism and unpaid debts owed to contractors responsible for maintaining the systems.
The disclosure comes at a time when Ghana is grappling with increasing urban congestion, rising road accident rates and growing pressure on transport infrastructure in major cities such as Accra and Kumasi.
Traffic lights remain one of the most critical elements of urban traffic control systems, especially in densely populated areas where vehicle and pedestrian movement continue to rise rapidly. Experts warn that malfunctioning traffic signals significantly increase the risk of road accidents, traffic jams and delays for emergency response services.
The situation also highlights broader infrastructure maintenance challenges confronting Ghana’s road sector. The country’s road network spans more than 94,000 kilometres, with a large percentage still unpaved and many urban facilities requiring upgrades and rehabilitation.
Recent years have seen increased attention on road safety in Ghana following rising fatalities linked to speeding, poor road conditions and weak enforcement of traffic regulations. The World Health Organization recently noted that Ghana’s road fatality rate remains above the African regional average, with road crashes becoming one of the leading causes of death among young people.
The government has already introduced new road safety legislation and stricter standards for vehicle and motorcycle safety in an effort to reduce fatalities. However, infrastructure reliability, including functioning traffic management systems, remains a major concern.
Hon.Kwame Governs Agbodza has in recent months repeatedly emphasised the need for stronger maintenance culture and accountability within the road sector. The minister has also warned contractors against abandoning projects and has pledged stricter supervision of infrastructure delivery nationwide.
Urban transport analysts say the latest traffic light assessment demonstrates the need for sustained investment not only in constructing roads but also in maintaining supporting infrastructure such as traffic signals, street lighting and drainage systems.
The theft and vandalism of electrical components from traffic systems have become recurring problems in several parts of Ghana, with copper wiring and other materials often targeted. This has placed additional pressure on already stretched maintenance budgets and delayed repairs.
Road users and commuters have frequently complained about malfunctioning signals at busy intersections, arguing that the failures contribute to unnecessary congestion and confusion, especially during peak hours.
The assessment is likely to intensify calls for modernisation of Ghana’s traffic management systems, including the adoption of smart traffic technologies and better monitoring systems to improve efficiency and reduce breakdowns.
While government officials insist efforts are underway to improve road infrastructure nationwide, the revelation that nearly four out of every ten traffic lights in Ghana are not functioning underscores the scale of the maintenance challenge facing the country’s urban transport network.
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