THE Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana (CTOG) has described the decision by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) to ban the use of Toyota Voxy for commercial purposes as ill-conceived and a “lazy approach”.
Consequently, the group has called on the Authority to reconsider its decision and engage stakeholders to find a more sustainable solution to road crashes in the country.
A statement signed by the National Chairman of CTOG, Mr Asonaba Nana Wiredu, and copied to The Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday said: “We strongly condemn this move and urge the NRSA to reconsider.”
The statement noted that rather than imposing a blanket ban, the Authority should focus on educating drivers on road safety and organising training programmes to enhance their skills.
“The Toyota Voxy is a popular and reliable vehicle widely used for commercial transport, and its ban will cause significant hardship for many families,” it added.
In a four-point resolution, CTOG urged the NRSA to reconsider the ban and engage stakeholders, develop targeted safety measures for high-risk areas, prioritise driver education and training, and address the root causes of road accidents, including poor road infrastructure.
According to the statement, the hasty decision by the NRSA reflects a lack of understanding of the complexities of the transport sector. “We will not support this shameful idea and will take all necessary steps to protect our members’ interests,” it said.
In a related development, some Toyota Voxy drivers operating at Kaneshie in Accra have vowed to resist any attempt to enforce the ban.
Speaking to The Ghanaian Times, Emmanuel Ewusi, a driver, said the focus should be on addressing driver indiscipline rather than blaming road crashes on the vehicle itself. He noted that some drivers fail to observe road signs and basic driving rules, adding that impatience on the roads significantly contributes to accidents.
Mr Ewusi stressed that public education and stricter enforcement would help curb reckless driving and improve safety.
Another driver, Justice Kwame, who operates between Kaneshie and Tarkwa, cautioned that restricting the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for long-distance travel could affect livelihoods and increase unemployment. He explained that many drivers depend on the vehicle for their daily income, and any limitation would have economic consequences for families.
Kwabena Amponsah, a station representative at Kaneshie, emphasised that drivers at the station were professionally trained and operate under structured supervision. He said the station holds daily safety meetings to educate drivers and promote discipline on the roads, while transport tickets issued to passengers include contact numbers of station managers to report reckless driving.
A passenger preparing to travel from Kaneshie to Obuasi said commuters often have little choice but to rely on Toyota Voxy vehicles.
The NRSA on Wednesday signalled its decision to ban the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial purposes, urging passengers to avoid using them for long-distance travel.
The Authority explained that the vehicles are designed for short, intra-city trips and not for long inter-city commercial use.
A report by a Technical Working Group on the suitability of Toyota Voxy vehicles for long-distance travel revealed that the Japan-made car was not manufactured for the Ghanaian market or for left-hand drive conversions.
It stated that the manufacturer, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, confirmed the Voxy was produced exclusively for the Japanese domestic market as a minivan for young, middle-class families.
The report also revealed that hundreds of mechanical workshops across the country carry out left-hand drive conversions, often without adhering to proper standards.
It explained that a complete conversion typically requires modification of the steering rack, dashboard, wiring harness, air conditioning system, braking system, windshield wipers, switches, and levellers.
However, due to cost constraints, some conversions remain incomplete when importers are unable or unwilling to purchase all the necessary parts.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL AND STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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