The Ghana Police Service is preparing to deploy officers to monitor and arrest motorists who use pedestrian footbridges, Director of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), ACP Alexander Obeng, has disclosed.

He said the move is intended to enforce road safety regulations and ensure that pedestrian footbridges serve their primary purpose of providing safe passage for pedestrians.

ACP Obeng made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).

He also raised concerns about the persistent use of pedestrian footbridges by traders for hawking, warning that the practice undermines efforts to keep the facilities safe and accessible to pedestrians.

According to him, attempts by the Police, in collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), to remove unauthorised traders from the footbridges have often been frustrated by political interference.

He said such interference had made it difficult for the Police and local authorities to carry out eviction exercises effectively and prevent the facilities from being used for unauthorised commercial activities.

ACP Obeng called for stronger enforcement measures and improved cooperation among relevant stakeholders to address the challenges.

He stressed that ensuring the proper use of pedestrian footbridges was essential to improving pedestrian safety and protecting the facilities from misuse.