‘Transport reforms must match bold words with bold action’

 At the September 17 edi­tion of the Government Accountability Series, the Minister of Transport, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, outlined a series of reforms intended to drive the development of the country.

His turn at the platform could not have come at a more critical time, when the nexus of gover­nance, development, and social progress calls for bold action and principled leadership.

Among the highlights of his presentation were three sig­nificant developments, which include, government’s renewed resolve to rid our roads of rick­ety and unworthy vehicles that endanger lives, the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO)’s initiative to transform Accra’s waste into wealth through inno­vation and recycling, and Pres­ident John Dramani Mahama’s call for democracies to stay true to their principles.

Taken together, these un­derscore one important theme: “The urgent need for strong in­stitutions and practical solutions to sustain national progress.”

The Ghanaian Times is partic­ularly pleased that government has finally acknowledged the scale of the menace posed by rickety vehicles on the country’s roads. For years, commuters have endured needless suffering and tragic loss of life as a result of unworthy vehicles plying our roads with impunity.

The proposed amendment to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) Act, which has already received Cabinet approval, is therefore commend­able and we believe it would em­power the Authority to remove broken-down and dangerous vehicles, surcharge offending drivers, and restore much-needed order and safety to our highways.

However, we must be clear that reforms in the transport sector cannot be piecemeal. To be effective, they must be comprehensive and far-reaching. Ensuring standards is not simply about removing rickety vehicles; it must also involve enforcing clear guidelines on the carrying capacity of commercial vehicles, particularly the ever-present “trotros.”

Too many of these vehicles, while filling an essential gap in the absence of a strong public transport system, are themselves not fit for purpose. Many have leaking roofs, cramped and poor­ly maintained seats, and little or no legroom for passengers, especially those with long legs. Such conditions not only rob commuters of dignity but also put their health and safety at risk.

As a nation, we cannot con­tinue to pretend that tragic road accidents, which rob families of breadwinners and children of parents are simply “acts of God.” In reality, they are largely preventable.

When vehicles that should have been taken off the roads years ago are allowed to continue operating, the results are predict­able: needless crashes, lost lives, and avoidable grief.

That is why giving the NRSA the legal authority to act deci­sively is welcome, but we need to emphasise that laws alone are insufficient. Enforcement must be consistent, swift, and unyield­ing. Selective application or lax oversight will only undermine public confidence and erode the gains of reform.

We also note positively gov­ernment’s intention to broaden the scope of public transport by investing in new buses for the Metro Mass Transit, reviving the Ayalolo system, and exploring inland water transport.

If these plans are realised, they would not only ease con­gestion on our roads but also lower risks and enhance mobil­ity for millions of commuters. Importantly, they would signal a decisive shift away from over-re­liance on unregulated private operators towards a safer, more reliable, and more modern trans­port system.

Yet, announcements alone are not enough, they must be matched by timely action, consis­tent financing, and efficient man­agement. Ghana has seen far too many well-intentioned transport projects falter because of poor execution, lack of maintenance, or political interference.

For these new reforms to suc­ceed, government must demon­strate both resolve and discipline.

At the same time, citizens also have a duty, the public must support the reforms, demand higher standards, and respect the rules of road use. Achieving a safer, more efficient, and mod­ern transport sector is not the task of government alone, it is a shared responsibility.

In the final analysis, Ghana deserves a transport system that reflects its aspirations as a 21st-century nation: safe, effi­cient, and fit for purpose and we commend the bold words of the Minister, but we urge that these words must now translate into bold, sustained action.