The Technical Working Committee of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has ruled that the use of the Toyota Voxy for commercial transport is unlawful, warning that it poses a serious risk to public safety.
Presenting the committee’s final report in Accra on Wednesday, April 8, Chairman Godwin Kafui Ayetor explained that the vehicle was not designed for commercial passenger operations and is unsuitable for Ghana’s road environment.
According to him, the manufacturer indicated that the Toyota Voxy is intended for use by middle-class families, not for commercial purposes. He added that the vehicle is not built for heavy usage or long-distance travel, and performs best on well-paved roads.
He noted that the risks increase significantly when the vehicle is used outside its intended purpose, particularly on rough terrain. For such conditions, he recommended more appropriate alternatives like the Toyota Hiace, which is specifically designed for commercial transport.
The committee also raised concerns about widespread modifications made to the vehicles, especially during their conversion from right-hand drive to left-hand drive. Mr. Ayetor explained that these alterations often involve changes to the suspension, an increase in vehicle height, and the use of tyres not suited for heavy loads or high mileage.
The report warned that many of these modifications are carried out by unlicensed operators, compromising the structural integrity of the vehicles and increasing the likelihood of mechanical failure.
Beyond the technical issues, the committee pointed to broader regulatory lapses that have allowed such vehicles to become common in the commercial transport sector. It cited a systemic breakdown that has enabled the unlawful importation, improper conversion, and unsafe commercial use of these vehicles.
Mr. Ayetor stressed that the scale of the issue is widespread, with thousands of such vehicles entering the country, being modified without proper standards, registered without adequate inspection, and in some cases used commercially despite being registered for private use.
In its final assessment, the committee concluded that the continued commercial use of the Toyota Voxy, particularly in its modified form, presents an unacceptable risk to road safety in Ghana.
It has therefore recommended stricter enforcement of existing regulations, including tighter controls on vehicle conversions, a prohibition on importing right-hand drive vehicles, and an immediate halt to the registration of such vehicles for commercial purposes.
