The Chief Executive Officer of MaxGo Autos, Mr. Maxwell Opoku Agyemang, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as the growing influx of “sick” and obsolete vehicles onto Ghana’s roads, warning that the trend is contributing significantly to fatal road accidents.

In an interview with Asona Dehye3 Kwarteng, Mr. Agyemang called on government and transport sector stakeholders to enforce stricter quality control measures, including mandatory inspections and testing of all imported vehicles before they are cleared for use.

He explained that many vehicles imported from countries where driving is on the right are forcibly converted to meet Ghana’s left-hand driving system.

According to him, the steering conversion process often compromises the structural integrity of such vehicles.

“Most of these cars lose their strength and balance after the steering wheel is moved.

This makes them extremely weak and dangerous, especially when they are used for commercial transport,” he cautioned.

Mr. Agyemang also raised concerns about certain vehicles imported from China, alleging that some are outdated models that have already been phased out or declared obsolete in their country of origin.

He attributed the situation partly to importers seeking to maximise profits by purchasing vehicles at low prices and reselling them locally.

“When you combine the age of these vehicles with the weaknesses caused by steering conversions, you end up with cars that are unfit for our roads and climate conditions,” he said.

He specifically mentioned the Toyota Voxy and similar models, noting that some have recently been involved in fatal crashes. According to him, drivers often operate such vehicles as though they are high-performance cars, despite potential mechanical vulnerabilities.

Mr. Agyemang urged authorities to consult automotive experts and introduce comprehensive testing protocols tailored to Ghana’s terrain and road conditions to prevent avoidable tragedies.

Describing the situation as alarming, he appealed to regulators to prioritise human life over profit and ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are allowed to operate.

“It is heartbreaking that technical negligence is costing lives.

We must take decisive action to remove unsafe vehicles from our roads,” he stressed.

The MaxGo Autos CEO also advised prospective car buyers to seek professional guidance before making purchasing decisions.

He noted that his company provides expert vehicle assessments and ensures the use of appropriate spare parts to maintain safety standards.

“Prioritising expertise and quality checks will save lives and bring greater safety to our roads,” he concluded.