Hon Alhassan Umar
Zabzugu
Mr Speaker, I am honoured to address this august House on the pressing issues of road traffic congestion in the capital cities of Ghana, particularly Accra and Kumasi. Road networks are vital for daily activities, including commuting to work, markets, and places of worship. However, congestion has become a major socio-economic and environmental challenge, demanding urgent attention.
Despite efforts by successive Governments to construct and expand roads, progress has stagnated over the past eight years. Daily, thousands of Ghanaians endure long hours in traffic, wasting valuable time and productivity. According to the World Bank’s 2021 Report, Connecting the Dots: People, Jobs and Social Services in Urban Ghana, 70 per cent of major roads in Accra are congested during rush hours with vehicle speeds dropping below 20 km/h.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) also notes that the population of Accra has grown by 35 per cent over the past two decades, while road infrastructure has remained largely unchanged. The World Bank estimates that Ghana loses approximately US$200 million annually due to congestion, stemming from lost productivity, excessive fuel consumption, and delayed business operations.
Beyond economic losses, congestion poses serious health and environmental risks. The Environmental Protection Agency’s 2022 Report highlights that vehicle emissions account for 70 per cent of urban air pollution, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the mental toll of prolonged traffic exposure leads to stress, frustrations, and a decline in quality of life.
Causes of congestion
Several factors contribute to the worsening traffic situation:
1. Rapid Urbanisation and vehicle ownership: Urban populations have surged from 50 per cent in 2000 to 58 per cent today, with Accra alone housing over 5 million people. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) reports over 3 million registered vehicles, 70 per cent of which are concentrated in Accra and Kumasi.
2. Poor Road Infrastructure: Many roads are narrow, poorly maintained and lack proper intersections, flyovers, and dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists. The absence of a functional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system exacerbates the problem.
3. Inefficient Public Transport: Over 60 per cent of commuters rely on informal transport services like trotros and taxis, which operate without schedules or designated stops, contributing to disorder and congestion.
4. Weak Traffic Management: Reckless driving, illegal parking, and poor enforcement of traffic regulations further worsen congestion.
Proposed solutions To address this crisis, a multifaceted approach is required.
1. Modern Public Transport System: Implement a BRT system with dedicated bus lanes, expanding rail transport and promoting non-motorised transports like cycling and walking which can reduce reliance on private vehicles.
2. Light Rail Transit (LRT) often referred to as modern train, way or light metro. It is an urban transportation system that uses electrically powered rail-guided vehicles, typically operating on dedicated tracks at ground level on electrical structures or tunnels which makes them environmentally friendly.
3. Upgrading Road Infrastructure: Expanding hightraffic corridors, constructing flyovers, underpasses and alternative routes, and integrating pedestrian-friendly walkways and cycling lanes are essential.
4. Smart Traffic Management: Adopting AI-based technologies, such as intelligent traffic lights, real-time monitoring, and automated ticketing systems can improve traffic flow and penalise offenders.
5. Strict Enforcement of Traffic Laws: Enforcing parking regulations, penalising reckless driving and implementing congestion pricing for high-traffic zones during peak hours can instill discipline among road users.
6. Behavioural Change: Encouraging carpooling, ridesharing, and flexible work schedules, including remote work options can reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Conclusion Mr Speaker, road traffic congestion is choking our economy, polluting our air and diminishing our quality of life. Addressing this issue requires collective action from policymakers, engineers, businesses, and commuters. By investing in modern transport systems, upgrading infrastructure and enforcing traffic laws, we can build a fast, safe and efficient transport network for Ghana. The time for action is now. Let us reset and create the Ghana we want: a nation where movement is seamless and sustainable.
Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity.
Hon Davis Ansah Opoku
Mpraeso
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this very important Statement on road traffic congestion, especially in the capital, Accra.
Mr Speaker, indeed, if one is to travel, especially in the central business district of Accra, for a distance that will take one less than 10 minutes, they would be spending about one or two hours trying to get to their destination. Sometimes, I wonder how persons who work at Ghana Cocoa Board are able to get to their offices.
I mean the traffic there alone, Mr Speaker, is quite worrying, and I am happy that this has come to the attention of the House, and we all know the reasons. Over-reliance on our road transport system is a major cause of this road congestions: poor urban planning, inadequate traffic management systems, encroachment and street trading. In fact, in the central business districts, persons who engage in petty trading, who have taken over the streets of Accra, are contributing largely to the traffic congestion that we experience in our country.
Mr Speaker, successive Governments have done their bit, especially with respect to road infrastructure expansions. We all saw the Pokuase Interchange, which is a four-tier interchange and the first of its kind in West Africa. We have seen the Tema Motorway Interchange Phase one project. We have seen the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Phase one and Phase two, which is currently ongoing and, of course, the Tamale Interchange. All these road constructions are aimed at ensuring that the congestion that we see on our roads are controlled.
One key thing that, Mr Speaker, for me, I think we should be doing as a country is that a lot of the people who do business or who work in the Central Business District of Accra live outside the areas, probably due to the high cost of renting in Accra. But, within the capitals, when you monitor what is going on, you will see that you have, let us say, two acres of land with just a fourbedroom accommodation belonging to the state.
Mr Speaker, the time has come for the state to consider building highrising buildings in the Central Business District, so that workers can get these buildings to rent at an affordable rate to ease the congestion on our roads. I mean, if the person lives nearby, 10-minute drive or five-minute walk to his work site, he can even go to office with a bicycle. Now, in Parliament, we have seen that Parliament has introduced electronic bicycles and all of that, and once we have started here, the Ghanaian people will accept and appreciate that that will be a better form of transport, and they will be using it.
So, Mr Speaker, I thank the maker of the Statement for bringing this to our attention, and I am happy that the Minister for Roads and Highways is here. There is a need to do more, and there is a need to construct more roads to ease the pressure in Accra.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement.
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