Accra’s traffic congestion has become a major hindrance to productivity, economic growth, and quality of life.
The constant gridlock, especially during rush hours, wastes time, increases fuel consumption, and contributes to pollution.
However, with strategic planning and decisive action, this problem can be significantly reduced within a single presidential term.
To decongest the inner city, all commercial minibuses (trotros) should terminate at three major transit terminals located at the outskirts of Accra.
At the core of the plan is the construction of three modern commercial transit hubs strategically positioned at major entry points into the city.
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The first, located just beyond Kasoa, will serve as the primary terminal for minibuses and commercial vehicles arriving from the Western and Central Regions.
A second hub near Amasaman will cater to traffic from the Northern, Ashanti, and Eastern Regions, while a third terminal near Tema-Ashaiman, will manage arrivals from the Volta Region.
Under the proposal, privately owned minibuses often blamed for erratic stops and road congestion, will be restricted from entering the city centre beyond these hubs.
Exceptions will be made only for structured transport providers like the State Transport Company (STC) and other accredited operators with established terminals.
To bridge the gap between these outer hubs and Accra’s business districts, the Metro Mass Transit system should undergo a major revamp.
Plans, include expanding fleet capacity, introducing dedicated bus lanes to ensure timely arrivals, and boosting service frequency.
This will create a seamless, affordable connection for commuters transferring from regional buses to intracity transport. Parallel efforts will focus on reducing reliance on private vehicles.
Corporate entities should be encouraged to expand staff shuttle services, with proposed incentives such as tax breaks for companies investing in employee transport solutions.
While some firms already offer management buses, the plan pushes for broader adoption, including shuttle services for junior staff.
Meanwhile, private car owners, could face steeper road tolls, particularly during weekday peak hours, as part of a congestion-pricing strategy to deter solo commuting. Revenue from these tolls would fund public transport upgrades.
Advocates argue that the plan avoids the complexity and costs of large-scale infrastructure projects, relying instead on smarter zoning, policy reforms, and leveraging existing transit networks.
If implemented decisively, the strategy could transform Accra into a city where streamlined public transport, corporate collaboration, and disincentives for private car use combine to ease congestion, cut pollution, and reclaim lost productivity.
For a city choking on traffic, the stakes and potential rewards could not be higher.
