The Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has defended the Authority’s decision to shut down garages involved in converting right-hand-drive vehicles to left-hand drive, describing the practice as illegal and dangerous.
Speaking after a Technical Working Committee presented its final report in Accra on April 8, 2026, Mr Amaliba stressed that such vehicle modifications pose a serious threat to road safety. The report highlighted concerns about Toyota Voxy vehicles, many of which are imported as right-hand-drive and later altered for use locally.
According to the committee’s chairman, Dr Godwin Kafui Ayetor, the Toyota Voxy was originally designed for private family use, not commercial transport. He noted that structural changes—including suspension adjustments and the use of inappropriate tyres—further increase the risk to passengers and other road users.
Mr Amaliba reiterated that these conversions violate existing laws and undermine vehicle safety standards. He warned that the NRSA will take firm action against offending garages, including closures and arrests of individuals who continue the practice.
He added that the Authority will formally engage key institutions such as the Ghana Standards Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Ghana Police Service Motor Traffic and Transport Department, and Customs to support enforcement efforts, with the committee’s findings serving as a guiding document.
As part of broader measures, the NRSA is also expected to meet transport operators next week in what Mr Amaliba described as a nationwide effort to sanitise the vehicle conversion sector.
