Ghanaian officials call for compulsory insurance on state vehicles

Government officials and industry leaders in Ghana are advocating for the removal of insurance exemptions for state-owned vehicles. Currently, the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act of 1958 excludes government-owned vehicles and those used exclusively for state purposes from mandatory third-party insurance requirements.

Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, warned that uninsured government vehicles, including ambulances, can cause critical delays in emergency medical treatment. She emphasized the importance of the “golden hour of injury,” noting that delays during the first 60 minutes after trauma can determine patient survival.

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh argued that the exemption undermines equality before the law, as private citizens, such as taxi drivers and traders, are required to comply with insurance laws. He noted that road fatalities in Ghana reached a 35-year high in 2025, with 2,949 deaths recorded.

Solomon Lartey, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana, stated that ensuring state compliance would help build public confidence and address misconceptions within the insurance industry. He urged the government to lead by example to reinforce the importance of insurance as a tool for financial protection.