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Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has assured public and private transport operators that government is taking decisive steps to address the growing transportation challenges facing commuters across the country.
She gave the assurance during a brief engagement with transport operators at the Ministry of Transport, amid increasing public frustration over vehicle shortages, long queues at major terminals, and reports of unapproved fare hikes, particularly in Accra and other urban centres.
In recent weeks, the transport sector has been affected by congestion, frequent vehicle breakdowns and alleged rent-seeking practices by some operators, worsening the daily commuting experience for passengers.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has directed government to support Metro Mass, Aayalolo and private transport operators with new high-occupancy buses in the medium term to augment existing services.
She further indicated that government is working to expedite the settlement of outstanding payment obligations to enable operators to deploy more vehicles onto the roads without delay.
“We also have plans to ensure that those that need to be paid, that the process will be expedited to ensure they can put more buses on the road as soon and as quickly as possible,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated.
The Vice President also appealed to transport operators to uphold professionalism, fairness and accountability, stressing that rebuilding public confidence in the sector depends on respect for passengers and adherence to high service standards.
“So my plea is that let us continue to work together to develop a transportation system that prioritises fairness, efficiency, excellence,” she said, adding, “We can do this by upholding high standards, treating passengers with respect, and by so doing, we will also strengthen the trust of Ghanaians in the private transport sector.”
Government officials say the planned interventions, including the deployment of additional buses and closer engagement with transport unions, are aimed at easing congestion, stabilising fares and improving the overall commuting experience for Ghanaians.
