
Mr. Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah
DEVASS AUTO LIMITED, a leading vehicle safety advocacy and compliance organization, has called for the immediate implementation and public education on the Vehicle/Transport Physical Conversion Act. The call, led by its Executive Director and Bono Regional Organizer, Mr. Evans Afari Gyan Yeboah, comes in response to the growing danger posed by unsafe and unregulated vehicle conversions, especially in Ghana’s public transport sector.
In an official statement released on Monday, June 16, 2025, Mr. Yeboah underscored the grave risks passengers face daily when boarding trotros — the popular minibuses that dominate the country’s urban and rural transport systems. According to him, many of these vehicles are the product of improper conversions from cargo vans to passenger buses, often without the necessary structural reinforcements, safety installations, or regulatory certification.
“Everyday passengers — market women, students, teachers, security personnel are unknowingly putting their lives at risk in vehicles that are not roadworthy. Many lack basic safety features like seatbelts, emergency exits, or proper ventilation, and are prone to severe damage in the event of accidents,” he said.
Mr. Yeboah highlighted that the Vehicle/Transport Physical Conversion Act, which was enacted to regulate such modifications and ensure vehicle safety, is yet to be fully enforced due to poor coordination among stakeholders, lack of public education, and weak political will by successive governments.
The Act mandates that all converted vehicles undergo rigorous inspection, certification, and registration, and that they meet standards such as balanced weight distribution, properly installed seats, and mandatory safety features. It also provides for penalties against unauthorized modifications.
Yet, in the absence of effective enforcement and a public education drive. The law exists, but people don’t know about it, and those who do are not being compelled to follow it,” he added.
DEVASS AUTO LIMITED is therefore calling on key stakeholders — the Ministry of Transport, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), transport unions, local assemblies, civil society groups, and the media to launch a coordinated, nationwide education campaign aimed at both passengers and transport operators.
Key recommendations
Key recommendations from DEVASS AUTO LIMITED include the need for sustained public awareness campaigns conducted in local languages to educate Ghanaians about the dangers of poorly converted vehicles. The organization also advocated the organization of workshops aimed at training drivers, vehicle owners, and artisans on the legal and safety standards required for vehicle modifications. Additionally, DEVASS emphasised the importance of displaying clear signage and safety information at all transport terminals to alert and inform commuters. He also called for routine inspections of public transport vehicles, backed by firm sanctions against those who flout the law.
Furthermore, DEVASS proposed the introduction of visible certification stickers on compliant vehicles to enable passengers to easily identify safe and approved transport options. Finally, he recommended the establishment of whistleblower incentives to encourage the public to report unauthorized and unsafe vehicle conversions.
“Passenger protection must become a national priority. It’s not just about compliance — it’s about saving lives. We must act now before more preventable tragedies occur on our roads,” he stated.
He also urged government and civil society to support the efforts of DEVASS AUTO LIMITED in leading the charge for safe and dignified public transport in Ghana. “The trotro is a symbol of Ghana’s resilience, but it must also reflect safety and accountability,” he added in the statement.
