End the daily ordeal of Accra’s commuters

The worsening transport challenges confronting commuters in Accra are no longer a temporary inconvenience; they have become a daily ordeal that demands urgent and decisive national attention.

Across the capital, thousands of workers wake up before dawn, only to spend hours at lorry stations and roadsides in search of transport.

From Lashibi, Nungua and Teshie to Kasoa, Nsawam and Pokuase, the story is the same, long queues, overcrowding, rising fares and exhausting delays.

Reports from various parts of the city paint a troubling picture of a public transport system under severe strain.

At some terminals, commuters wait for one to three hours to secure a vehicle.

 On certain routes, journeys that should take less than 90 minutes now stretch beyond three hours.

This is not only frustrating; it is economically damaging.

The situation has been worsened by the rains, which have exposed the poor condition of many key roads, further slowing traffic and reducing the number of trips drivers can make in a day.

The result is predictable, fewer vehicles, longer queues and higher fares.

Equally worrying is the persistence of exploitative practices such as the “tot-tot” system and short-loading, despite earlier interventions by the authorities.

Commuters continue to pay fares far above approved rates, with little protection or recourse. This cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.

The Ghanaian Times is particularly concerned about the broader implications of this crisis.

Lost hours in traffic translate into lost productivity, reduced income and increased stress for workers.

Businesses suffer when employees arrive late, while the overall efficiency of the urban economy declines.

Transport operators have cited traffic congestion and poor road conditions as key challenges.

 While these concerns are valid, they cannot justify the level of hardship currently being imposed on commuters.

There must be a balance between operational realities and the rights of the commuting public.

What is clear is that the current system, largely driven by fragmented private operations, is struggling to meet the growing demand of a rapidly expanding city.

This calls for a bold and coordinated response from government.

There is an urgent need to improve road infrastructure, particularly on heavily used corridors such as the Circle–Nsawam and Kasoa routes.

Poor roads not only slow traffic but also discourage drivers from operating on certain routes.

Also, enforcement of transport regulations must be strengthened. Illegal fare hikes, short-loading and other exploitative practices should attract swift sanctions to protect commuters.

The government must accelerate efforts to introduce a more reliable and efficient mass transport system.

A well-organised, state-supported urban transport network could significantly ease the pressure on existing services.

The daily suffering of commuters should not be normalised. It is a clear signal that the system is failing and requires urgent reform.

The Ghanaian Times urges the government and all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly and decisively to restore order, fairness and efficiency to urban transport.

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