Daily traffic congestion in Accra is largely driven by the city’s rapid expansion and limited mass transport options, according to Alexander Kweku Obeng, Director of Education, Research and Training at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (11 March), Obeng said Accra has grown into a sprawling metropolitan area with surrounding towns effectively functioning as dormitory communities.
He explained that areas such as Kasoa, Dodowa, Tema and Adenta have become extensions of the capital, resulting in large numbers of commuters travelling into the central business district each day.
“Accra has grown into Kasoa, into Tema and also into Dodowa. It has become one sprawling settlement where people move in and out daily,” Obeng said.
According to him, the city’s road network is also under pressure because major national highways pass through Accra, including the N1 and N6 corridors.
These routes connect multiple regions and serve international transit traffic moving goods through Ghana to landlocked countries in the West African sub-region.
Obeng said the lack of alternative urban transport systems has worsened congestion.
He noted that many major cities around the world rely on rail networks, trams and high-capacity buses to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.
“Every city should see to it that trams and other transport systems are running, but most of these are lacking in Accra and that is hurting us now,” he said.
He suggested that Ghana should invest in high-occupancy buses operating on dedicated lanes to encourage commuters to leave their private vehicles at home.
According to Obeng, road expansion projects under government infrastructure programmes could create opportunities to introduce dedicated public transport lanes.
The MTTD official said improving public transport would significantly reduce pressure on Accra’s roads and ease congestion during peak hours.
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