For many residents in the capital and other major urban centres, this weekend has offered a much-needed emotional and physical reset. The quiet streets and empty bus terminals of the weekend have temporarily washed away the memories of a grueling week—one defined by hundreds of commuters stranded until late into the night and chaotic scenes at major transport hubs like Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Kaneshie, and Madina as well as suburbs in Kumasi. When the sun sets today, a familiar anxiety may be creeping back into the minds of workers and students: the fear that Monday morning might bring back the horror of the past few days.
The previous week saw the transport crisis reach a boiling point, with social media flooded by viral videos of heated scuffles. In a desperate bid to protect commuters, some local assemblies deployed security personnel to terminals to enforce the approved fares. However, this often led to chaos as “fare wardens” physically blocked vehicles or engaged in shouting matches with drivers who claimed that heavy traffic made the lower fares unsustainable. Frustrated by long delays, some drivers resorted to splitting long journeys into multiple short trips to maximize profit, leaving those on tight budgets completely stranded.
The severity of the situation compelled the Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman to intervene personally. In high-stakes discussions held with the leadership of the Ministry of Transport and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Vice President was firm that commuters must not be exploited. While acknowledging the challenges posed by congestion, the Vice President emphasized that patience and collective responsibility are required to keep the country moving without draining the pockets of ordinary Ghanaians.
To prevent a repeat of last week’s drama, the government has prepared a multi-pronged intervention for tomorrow’s rush hour. Metro Mass Transit has been directed to redeploy its fleet from long-distance routes to serve busy intracity corridors like Kasoa, Adenta, and Amasaman. Additionally, the new electric buses (EVs) have been specifically assigned to the Adenta-Accra stretch to beat the early morning rush. The GPRTU has also agreed to deploy its own union guards to work alongside the police to ensure drivers at the stations charge the correct fares and avoid the practice of “roadside picking.”
While the weekend provided a temporary ceasefire, Monday morning will be the true test of whether these government interventions can ease the problem. Transport officials have assured the public they will be visiting terminals unannounced to ensure the promised buses are on the ground and that passengers can reach their destinations on time and with their dignity intact. Tomorrow at 6:00 a.m., the nation will find out if the government’s plan can finally turn the tide on the transport crisis.
