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.