MTN Ghana has commenced its 2025 nationwide road safety training program in a significant strategic shift, partnering with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
Drivers and staff in the company’s Northern Business District were the first beneficiaries of this enhanced training curriculum.
The inaugural session took place on Monday at the MTN office in Nhyiaeso, Kumasi.
This collaboration marks an evolution in MTN’s corporate safety mandate, integrating the expertise of the national traffic regulatory body to deliver a more rigorous and officially compliant training experience.
Program Objectives and Scope:
The comprehensive program is strategically designed to:
Equip MTN drivers and staff with practical, high-level road safety skills.
Strengthen compliance with all national road traffic regulations.
As Ghana’s largest telecommunications provider, MTN operates a vast fleet of vehicles and employs a considerable staff base.
The successful implementation of this training is therefore expected to significantly heighten safe driving behavior among all MTN personnel operating company or personal vehicles across the country, setting a benchmark for corporate responsibility.
National Road Crash Statistics:
The training was facilitated by Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, Director for Education, Research and Training at the MTTD.
Chief Supt. Obeng expressed deep concern over the rising incidence of preventable road crashes in Ghana, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive, collaborative measures to safeguard all road users.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, Chief Supt. Obeng revealed sobering national statistics:
Between January and October 2025 alone, Ghana recorded approximately 11,000 road crashes.
These incidents resulted in over 2,400 fatalities and more than 12,000 injuries.
He stressed that these figures do not merely represent local incidents but constitute a substantial national and global safety threat.
“This partnership with MTN Ghana is timely and critical,” Chief Supt. Obeng stated. “Building the capacity of their drivers and staff is essential so that when they are on the road, they will be seen to be safer in the way they handle vehicles.”
He further indicated that the increase in crash statistics compared to the previous year underscores an urgent and compelling need for stronger, more effective road safety interventions delivered through expert collaboration.
Training Curriculum:
MTN Ghana maintains a robust commitment to safety, conducting this capacity-building program twice annually to ensure the continuous enhancement of staff driving skills and safety awareness.
Road safety and defensive driving are fundamental pillars of the company’s occupational health and safety policy.
Key Focus Areas of the Training:
The sessions covered practical and theoretical aspects of professional and safe driving:
Defensive Driving Techniques:
Focused instruction on hazard recognition and risk assessment to anticipate and mitigate potential dangers.
Safe Driving Practices:
Strategies for operating vehicles safely under varying road and weather conditions.
Vehicle Readiness: Comprehensive training on pre-trip vehicle inspection and routine maintenance checks.
Regulatory Compliance: Strict adherence to Ghana’s traffic regulations, including mandatory speed limits, correct seatbelt usage, and the absolute avoidance of distracted driving (e.g., mobile phone use).
MTN’s Commitment To Safety:
MTN has consistently demonstrated a strong reputation for its safety programs, with its drivers having previously secured corporate road safety awards in Ghana.
This track record is a clear indication of the company’s sustained, proactive commitment to minimizing road-related risks for its employees and the public.
The company’s formal road safety policy mandates strict adherence to Ghana’s road traffic laws, with clear disciplinary actions applicable for any breach, reinforcing a culture of accountability.
Mandatory Safety Protocol:
Road safety training is a mandatory component of the induction process for all new employees.
A refresher course is refreshed annually for all staff who operate company vehicles.
By actively collaborating with certified, authoritative training partners like the MTTD, MTN continues to implement best practices in corporate driver training.
The overarching goal of these sustained efforts is not only to ensure the protection of MTN employees and passengers but, critically, to promote a broader culture of safety on Ghana’s roads, thereby helping to reduce accidents nationwide.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
