Ghana has secured a milestone in global transport diplomacy after becoming the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to be officially admitted into the Council of Ministers of Transport of the International Transport Forum (ITF) during the 2026 ITF Summit in Leipzig, Germany.
The admission places Ghana among leading transport policy nations and is expected to strengthen the country’s positioning as a regional transport and logistics hub in West Africa, while deepening its engagement in global transport governance and infrastructure development discussions.
Speaking at the summit, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, described Ghana’s admission as “an honour and a responsibility,” noting that the government remained committed to building a “modern, safe, resilient, and sustainable” transport system capable of connecting citizens and businesses to economic opportunities.
He said the government would continue prioritising reforms and investments aimed at “strengthening road transport,” revitalising the railway sector, modernising ports and maritime services, and improving integration across all modes of transport to enhance trade, mobility, and regional connectivity.
On the sidelines of the summit, Ghana also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Czech Republic to deepen cooperation in transportation infrastructure, maintenance, and related services. The agreement is expected to support technical collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building initiatives within Ghana’s transport sector.
The Transport Minister further held discussions with Amelia Peterson, Strategic Partnerships Director of FIKA, a non-governmental organisation focused on improving rural accessibility. The talks centred on potential collaboration to address transport challenges confronting disconnected and isolated communities across rural Ghana.
Ghana’s participation at the ITF Summit aligns with ongoing national efforts to modernise the country’s transport system to support industrial growth, improve trade competitiveness, and strengthen regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
