Yesterday, August 4, 2024, marked exactly 50 years since Ghana officially changed from driving on the left-hand side to the right-hand side of the road.
The change took effect on August 4, 1974, with the introduction of “Operation Keep Right.”
Ghana decided to break ranks with the British colonial habit of driving in the left lane.
The shift aimed to facilitate seamless transportation and business flow within the West-African sub-region as neighboring states such as Ivory Coast, Togo and Burkina Faso followed the right-hand drive due to their French colonial history.
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The change in Ghana was initiated with the passing of NRCD 212 of 1973 by the Acheampong regime, two years after Nigeria had done so on Sunday, April 2, 1972.
Another factor that influenced the choice was the availability of affordable vehicles made for right-hand drive, such as the French Peugot and Renault, and the German Volkswagen.
The then Commander of the Boarder Guards, Brigadier Fred Akuffo, chaired the National Committee on Right Hand Traffic.
Akuffo organized a seminar to brief all persons directly concerned with driver education.
Additionally, the Right Hand Driving Secretariat issued bulletins urging motorists to read traffic handbooks and asked the public to corporate in the change.
Police and Traffic control personnel were tasked to direct children and persons living with disability.
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The media also played a critical role in educating and mobilizing people to repair damaged roads.
