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Private commercial transport operator, Alhaji Ibrahim, has called on government to deepen collaboration with the private sector to address Accra’s persistent transport challenges, citing inefficiencies in fleet management and congestion within the capital.
Speaking to Channel 247, Alhaji Ibrahim argued that government has a limited role in directly controlling private transport systems and should instead focus on acquiring transport fleets and partnering private operators with the technical expertise to manage them effectively.
He referenced the Ayalolo bus system, noting that although about 245 out of 250 buses have been procured, only around 80 are currently operational. According to him, such levels of underutilisation would be unacceptable in the private sector, where efficiency and sustainability are key to profitability.
Alhaji Ibrahim explained that private transport operators often lack the financial capacity to acquire large fleets, but possess the operational know-how needed to prevent asset deterioration once vehicles are in service.
He further attributed Accra’s traffic congestion to the city’s movement patterns, where commuters largely travel in one direction in the mornings and disperse in the evenings, placing enormous pressure on the road network and available vehicles.
The transport operator also highlighted the economic cost of congestion, stressing that trips that should take 30 minutes now last over an hour, increasing fuel expenses and reducing overall productivity.
Beyond road expansion, he advocated for alternative modes of transport and the decentralisation of key government institutions, suggesting that relocating some ministries and agencies outside the central business district could significantly ease traffic pressure.
