The Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service has intercepted a total of 1,991 vehicles in Kumasi for various traffic violations involving the unauthorised use of sirens and strobe lights.
The figure forms part of an enforcement exercise undertaken by the Kumasi Central MTTD Task Force to clamp down on the unlawful use and installation of warning appliances on motor vehicles.
Out of the total number of vehicles intercepted, 97 were cited for the unauthorised use of sirens, while 1,830 were intercepted for the abuse of strobe lights.
The Ashanti Regional MTTD Commander, Superintendent Kwame Boadi, disclosed this at a press briefing in Kumasi, where he outlined measures being undertaken by the Police to ensure compliance with the road traffic laws.
He said the use of strobe lights, lamps, sirens and horns on motor vehicles was regulated under Regulations 90 and 99 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2519).
According to him, the regulations provided an important legal framework for road traffic enforcement in the country, and the Ghana Police Service, through the MTTD, would continue to enforce the provisions to promote road safety and discipline among motorists.
Enforcement exercise
Supt. Boadi said the enforcement exercise commenced on July 3, 2026, with the Kumasi Central MTTD Task Force operating under the supervision of the Greater Accra MTTD Commander, DCOP Alexander Wowolo; the officer in charge of Research, Planning, Education and Training at the National Police Headquarters, ACP Alexander Kwaku Obeng; and the National MTTD Staff Officer, DSP Oppong Kyekyeku.
He explained that personnel from the Police Administration Directorate (PAD) at the headquarters in Accra and Kumasi participated in the exercise.
They included Chief Inspectors, Inspectors, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and other ranks.
The operation, he said, was extended to several parts of the Kumasi Metropolis as the Police intensified efforts to identify and sanction motorists who violated the regulations.
Areas covered included the Airport Roundabout, Santasi Roundabout, Ahodwo Roundabout, Abrepo Junction, Abuakwa Road, Kwadaso, Tanoso, Aprepe, Aboabo Kese, Nfansi, Akropong, Afari and Agric Nzema, among other locations.
Approved vehicles
Supt. Boadi explained that Regulation 99 of L.I. 2519 clearly specified the categories of vehicles permitted to be fitted with and use sirens or bells as warning appliances.
He said these included government vehicles used for official purposes by the Head of State, police vehicles, vehicles operated by the Ghana National Fire Service, ambulances operated by hospitals or clinics, vehicles used by other recognised government security agencies, and bullion vehicles registered by the Licensing Authority.
He stressed that the privilege was not available to ordinary private motorists and vehicle owners.
He therefore cautioned members of the public against installing or using sirens and other warning appliances without the requisite legal authority.
Penalty
The MTTD Commander further cautioned motorists that persons who contravened the relevant provision of the regulations committed an offence and could face prosecution.
He said a person found guilty could, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine of not more than 25 penalty units, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both.
He said the Police had also taken steps to remind drivers and other road users of their obligations under the Road Traffic Regulations, particularly regarding the use of horns, sirens, lamps and strobe lights.
Police warning
Supt. Boadi warned that the unauthorised installation or use of horns, sirens, lamps and strobe lights would continue to attract enforcement action.
He urged motorists to remove unauthorised warning devices from their vehicles and desist from practices that could undermine road safety or give them an unfair advantage over other road users.
He said the enforcement was not intended merely to punish motorists but to ensure that road users complied with the law and contributed to a safer road environment.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” he stressed, adding that compliance with the law, discipline and consideration for other road users were essential to reducing road traffic crashes and creating safer roads across the country.
He appealed to motorists to cooperate with the Police and familiarise themselves with the provisions of L.I. 2519 to avoid unnecessary confrontations and sanctions during road traffic enforcement operations.
The exercise, he said, would continue as part of the Police Service’s broader efforts to improve road discipline and protect lives and property on Ghana’s roads.
