{
  "id": 2124104,
  "title": "AMA bans ‘Aboboyaa’ from inner lanes, sets August deadline for reflector compliance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/ama-bans-aboboyaa-from-inner-lanes-sets-august-deadline-for-reflector",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T11:46:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/ama-bans-aboboyaa/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has prohibited the use of motorised tricycles, colloquially referred to as “Aboboyaa,” in the inner lanes of major roads across the capital city. This directive is part of a series of measures aimed at enhancing road safety and minimizing accidents involving these vehicles. AMA General Manager, Michael Nii Kpakpo Allotey, announced the decision alongside the Mayor of Accra, Michael Nii Kpakpo Allotey. According to the new guidelines, Aboboyaa operators are required to utilize designated side roads whenever feasible. If no side roads are available, they must remain on the outer lane of the main road.\n\nTo ensure maximum visibility, particularly during nighttime operations, all Aboboyaa operators are mandated to affix reflector stickers on their tricycles and wear reflective clothing. The Assembly has granted a deadline of the end of August 2026 for operators to comply with the reflector requirement. Failure to adhere to this regulation will result in enforcement actions, including potential sanctions against non-compliant operators.\n\nThis directive is underpinned by recent concerns regarding the safety and roadworthiness of tricycles in Accra. In July 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) reported that over 90% of Aboboyaa vehicles in the city lacked essential safety features such as side mirrors. While the DVLA emphasized that tricycles are subjected to the same roadworthiness inspections as other vehicles, the AMA’s measures aim to address the existing gaps in safety compliance.\n\nThe AMA's decision builds upon previous efforts to regulate the operations of Aboboyaa operators. In June 2025, the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District Council engaged with tricycle operators to discuss parking arrangements and congestion mitigation. They encouraged the formation of organized associations to facilitate identification, regulation, and coordination with city authorities. Furthermore, in 2021, the Regional Coordinating Council announced plans for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to establish bye-laws governing the operations of okada, pragya, and Aboboyaa within their jurisdictions. Previous restrictions on the use of major highways by tricycle operators were also implemented in 2022 by the Tema West Municipal Assembly, which cited road safety concerns and the availability of alternative routes.\n\nDespite the new restrictions, the AMA acknowledges the essential role that Aboboyaa operators play in essential services, particularly waste collection. In February 2026, the Assembly announced plans to deploy Aboboyaa for waste collection in the Accra Central Business District. The AMA is urging operators to utilize the remaining time before the August deadline to ensure compliance with the new reflector requirement. The Assembly emphasizes that the goal of these measures is not to eliminate tricycle operations but to enhance road discipline, visibility, and overall safety for all road users.",
  "summary": "By Amoako Kwame The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has directed operators of motorised tricycles, popularly known as “Aboboyaa,” to stop using the inner lanes of major roads in the metropolis as part of measures to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Under the new directive, operators are required to use designated side roads where such […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Accra Metropolitan Assembly bans motorised tricycles (“Aboboyaa”) from inner city roads.",
    "Compliance deadline aims to improve road safety and visibility for all users."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}