The exercise, also in partnership with the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU), is aimed at preparing stakeholders for the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States Supplementary Act on Axle Load Control.

A statement issued in Accra said the campaign, held in Takoradi and replicated in Kumasi and Tema, follows a policy announcement by the Ministry of Roads and Highways on the introduction of the long-anticipated Axle Load Regulations.

The statement noted that although the regulations were initially scheduled to take effect in January 2026, they were deferred at the instance of GSA to allow for broader stakeholder engagement.

The sensitisation seeks to deepen understanding of the policy framework, secure industry buy-in, promote compliance, and reduce potential conflicts between enforcement agencies and transport operators.

Musa Ibrahim emphasised that the initiative goes beyond road safety, describing the ECOWAS Supplementary Act as a landmark harmonisation platform to strengthen regional trade integration.

“This sensitisation is critical not only for safety but also for facilitating trade within the sub-region,” he said, adding that JAPTU remained committed to transparency, accountability, and trust in the implementation process.

James Hammond highlighted the importance of the programme under the GIZ Trade Hub initiative, a German government-supported project designed to promote intra-regional trade among ECOWAS member states.

He noted that compliance would enable drivers to operate without disruption while protecting road infrastructure through adherence to prescribed load limits.

Fred Asiedu Dartey, speaking on behalf of the CEO of GSA, commended GIZ for its continued support to transport and logistics development in West Africa, and JAPTU for mobilising its members for the workshops.

He underscored the central role of road transport in regional trade, particularly for land-linked countries such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, noting that effective implementation of the ECOWAS Act would enhance compliance, reduce border delays, and improve transit corridor efficiency.

Rhoda Djanitey explained that under Section 26 of Act 1122 (2024), haulage drivers would be required to register annually at a fee of GH¢250.

Registered operators, she said, would receive certification authorising them to operate across ports and transit corridors within Ghana and the sub-region. She added that formal registration would enhance institutional support, citing GSA’s recent intervention in facilitating the release of cargo trucks detained in Burkina Faso.

Elizabeth Ajarquah noted that Ghana maintains approximately 15,400 kilometres of highways, making axle load control a critical priority due to the high cost of road construction and maintenance.

She said the ECOWAS Supplementary Act seeks to harmoniseaxle load regulations across the sub-region, including standardised vehicle weights, dimensions, fines, and compliance mechanisms, with the ultimate goal of eliminating overloading.

She added that enforcement measures would include compliance technologies such as the “Dead Man Switch” to prevent axle tampering, corridor-based weighing fees, and provisions for auctioning abandoned vehicles after 90 days, in line with regional regulations.