Drivers who fix TV screens on dashboards could face 30 days in prison, Ghana Police warn

If you’re one of the many Ghanaian drivers who enjoy a little entertainment while navigating traffic, you may want to pause and take a second look at your dashboard setup. The Ghana Police Service has warned that those TV monitors and electronic screens some motorists boldly fix right in front of them could land them in jail. 

Chief Inspector Frimpong Ayeh has sent out a clear caution: installing television monitors or similar screens on your dashboard is against the law. Speaking on Ofie FM, he explained that many drivers may be unknowingly putting themselves in trouble just by mounting these gadgets where they can be seen while driving. And as he put it plainly on radio, “If you fixed a television monitor on your dashboard, it’s an offence. It goes against the law. You can fix it at the back, where passengers can watch it. If you are caught, you will be sent to court.”

According to him, the issue isn’t about technology or modernising vehicles—it’s about distraction. Once a screen is positioned where the driver can see moving images while the vehicle is in motion, it automatically becomes an offence under Ghana’s road traffic regulations.

Frimpong Ayeh explained that the law is designed with one priority in mind: safety. Devices that shift a driver’s focus from the road, even for a split second, can be dangerous. That is why, he noted, they “are not supposed to be placed in a way that affects the driver’s concentration on the road.” If anything, motorists who love in-car entertainment should consider relocating the screens to the back, where passengers can watch without causing any risk.

Road safety, he stressed, remains a major concern in Ghana — and distractions are one of the culprits behind preventable accidents. Dashboard-mounted screens, he explained, can be particularly risky in heavy traffic, long trips, or those tense moments where a driver must make a quick judgment. The danger is not always obvious until it’s too late.

The law is also not lenient on offenders. Chief Inspector Ayeh reminded motorists that those caught could face a GH₵300 fine, 30 days in prison, or sometimes both. That has sparked fresh debate among drivers, especially those whose vehicles come with modern infotainment screens or who have personalised their dashboards with flashy displays.

To some motorists, the screens are simply part of comfort, luxury, or even modern car design. But the police officer’s message is a timely one: not every modification is acceptable on Ghana’s roads, and some can cost you more than you bargained for.

So, before you hit the road for the weekend ride or the weekday hustle, it might be wise to check your dashboard. If there’s a TV screen staring back at you, Chief Inspector Ayeh's advice is simple: save yourself the fine, or a court appearance by moving it to the back.